Last moment

“This book is weird, especially because the female lead has the same name as me,” Onora muttered, then closed the book. She had come here to forget her pains with books, but this one felt strange and scary to her.

She glanced at her kitty, who was licking its paw. “Today is really slow,” Onora said, picking up her cat.

She walked out of the library but met someone unpleasant—Kaliyah. A sneer masked her face. Onora tried to pass another way, but Kaliyah blocked the path with her body.

Onora moved to the other side, but again Kaliyah blocked her. Onora sighed. Kaliyah was never going to let her leave this place without a fight, and she wasn’t ready for that.

She spun around, heading back into the library, but Kaliyah pulled her back. Onora fell on her butt as her kitty ran away.

“You’re too weak to be his wife,” Kaliyah said. She was probably talking about Madden. The words were meant to hurt Onora, but they stirred something else—anger.

“I’m too weak to be his wife, but I am his wife,” Onora glared as she stood, though she knew this wasn’t over.

“You don’t know what your husband is or what he’s capable of, yet you sit here claiming the position as his wife. I bet you won’t be able to bear the truth when you finally find out—because you’re too weak,” Kaliyah smirked.

Onora sighed softly. She didn’t know who her husband really was, or what he was capable of, but she was his wife—at least in name. Still, she didn’t care. After all, he told her to leave, and she would. Tonight. She would run far, far away.

“Well, who cares? I’m his wife, as much as I hate it. And you’re jealous—because you want my husband, his mother’s support, and my position,” Onora half-yelled, trying to keep her anger intact. But she was losing it. Rage was erupting in her skull. She hated being called weak, but that’s what she was.

“You look too innocent to be here,” Kaliyah said.

Onora scoffed. So now she looked innocent, while Kaliyah looked… what? Dangerous? They were the opposite of each other.

“That’s not your business. It’s mine,” Onora snapped, then left furiously. This time Kaliyah didn’t pull her back.

She went to her room, where she began to draw her escape plan.

---

Madden walked in. The blue light in the room shone on his face. The atmosphere was dangerous—the scent of cum, alcohol, and smoke filled the air. Dangerous men and women were gambling, some having public sex, others drinking and smoking.

Madden entered another room. The sound of clashing skin echoed as a man fucked a slut. The man glanced at Madden.

“Come join me, or have a seat and enjoy the show,” Mr. Hart said.

Madden’s face remained unchanged as he sat in a chair, his gaze fixed on the scene until Mr. Hart finished.

Mr. Hart pulled out of the woman. “Get out,” he ordered, his cold voice laced with command.

The slut hurried to dress and rushed out. Mr. Hart put on his clothes.

“You called for me,” Madden said.

“That’s not the proper way of greeting your father,” Mr. Hart replied.

“I never wanted to come, so don’t waste my fucking time,” Madden snapped.

“I see you’ve lost all respect. Don’t forget, I gave you life—and I can take it back. You are my seed, the one I spilled into your slut mother’s pussy,” Mr. Hart smiled, but Madden remained seated.

“My mother is not a slut, and the next time you say that, I’ll kill you,” Madden snapped again.

“You’re forgetting this is my land. One mistake from you, and your dead body will be next. Maybe your mother will follow,” Mr. Hart replied as he poured wine into a glass.

“And I just wanted to congratulate you. Your mother said your new wife is beautiful,” Mr. Hart sipped his wine, but Madden scoffed.

“I never said I wanted a wife,” Madden glared.

“You have no choice—especially when you must give me a grandson. You’re next after me. And don’t tell your brother. I don’t want him here spoiling my peace.” Mr. Hart smirked.

“Can I leave now? Agatha is probably waiting for me,” Madden said, standing before leaving.

---

Onora walked down the lonely road, her cat held tightly in her soft grip. It was sleeping peacefully. She walked as fast as she could. She didn’t know where she was heading, but she knew one thing—she was leaving.

Her steps were light but hurried, before Miranda realized she was missing and sent the men in suits to search. Her husband would probably act like he didn’t care, but he would order her search anyway—because of his mother.

The sound of a car approaching made her quickly hide behind a trash can. The car stopped abruptly close to her. Her heart raced as she prayed not to be caught by the men in suits.

“Where are they?” she heard a voice. She stayed still, not daring to move, praying they wouldn’t hear her. They were searching—for her and her cat.

“Hand over the goods,” a female voice demanded.

Onora’s eyes widened. Women weren’t part of the guards. She dared to glance and saw a woman and a man. The man’s black hair covered his face, and both carried guns.

Onora quickly ducked back down, many thoughts filling her mind. Who are these people? Thieves? Kidnappers?

Then the sound of gunshots shattered the night. Bullets rained down. Groans followed as bodies fell. Onora squeezed her eyes shut, fear crawling into her skin as the shots continued.

Finally, it stopped. She felt her cat stir and open its eyes.

Her gaze landed on a dead body in the road, and she gasped.

The cat meowed loudly, then jumped out of her arms into the street. Onora’s heart skipped a beat. What if they heard it—or saw it?

“I’ll go check it out,” a hoarse voice said.

Footsteps approached, growing louder. Onora panicked.

The footsteps became louder as it got closed to her, Her heart raced hard

This was it. If the man found her, it would be her last moment on earth.