LOGINKen’s POV I parked two streets away from Kael’s house and walked the rest of the way. The afternoon was bright and peaceful. Everything looked normal and safe. I rang the doorbell once and waited with my hands in my pockets. When the door opened, Kael stood there in a dark sweater. He looked the same as always, calm but a little tired. Nothing about him seemed unusual. “Ken,” he said, stepping aside. “I wasn’t expecting you today.” “I was in the area,” I replied with a smile. “I thought I should stop by and see how things are going. It’s been a few days.” He let me in. The house smelled of coffee and something sweet from the kitchen. There were no loud voices or signs of trouble. Everything seemed peaceful. That only made the lie I was about to tell feel worse. I followed him into the living room and sat in my usual chair. Kael poured two cups of coffee without asking how I wanted mine. He already knew. He handed me a cup and sat across from me. “How’s Helena?” I asked, try
Ken’s POV I left the apartment only after she had fallen asleep again. She was still sleeping lightly when I walked out. The streets were already busy by the time I reached the first store. I moved quickly, looking through the clothes and shelves without wasting time. I picked out soft cotton shirts in light colors, loose trousers that would not press against her bruises, and a few light sweaters. I also bought underwear and socks in simple packages, along with slippers that had soft soles. I added a hairbrush, mild shampoo, lotion without any smell, a toothbrush, and a small tube of lip balm. I didn’t want anything that looked expensive. I also didn’t want anything that would make people look twice at the bags if they happened to see them. At the next shop, I bought a simple black phone and paid in cash. I activated it myself and saved only one number in it. My number. I tested the phone to make sure the call went through without any problems. By the time I finished, the woman I h
Ken’s POV I helped her sit up so she could drink some of the broth. She took a few small sips and managed to finish half of the bowl before shaking her head. I took the bowl from her and placed it aside. “Where is this place?” she asked. “Somewhere no one will think to look for you. It’s an apartment I keep for situations like this. There are no important cameras on the street, and the names on the lease cannot be traced back to me.” “You planned this?” “I planned for the possibility,” I replied. “When I realized Kael no longer cared whether you lived or died, I started watching him. I followed the car the night they took you. I stayed far enough behind so they wouldn’t notice me. When they left you in that clearing, I was already there. I carried you away before the man they hired could arrive.” Her breathing suddenly stopped for a moment. “They hired someone?” “Yes.” “To kill me?” “Yes.” She closed her eyes. For a moment, I thought she might start crying. Instead, she gav
Ken’s POV I had been following them for hours when Kael’s black SUV finally turned off the main road and drove down a narrow dirt path into the trees. The headlights cut through the darkness, lighting up the road ahead. I kept my own headlights off and stayed far enough behind them so they would not notice me. Dust rose from their tires, but I made sure it never reached my car. My hands held the steering wheel firmly, but my chest felt tight. I already knew what they planned to do. I had heard enough through the open window when they thought nobody was listening. They wanted to dump her somewhere, leave her where nobody would find her, and send someone later to finish the job. Kael had spoken in a cold, emotionless voice. Alina had been even colder. Neither of them had argued or shown any sign of doubt. They had simply agreed to end someone’s life as if it meant nothing. When the SUV finally stopped in a clearing surrounded by trees, I turned off my engine and got out of the ca
Helena’s POV When we finished, we lay close together on the bed. The late afternoon sunlight came through the window, spreading golden light across the room. Kael gently moved his fingers in circles on my hip. “I keep waiting to feel guilty,” he said quietly. I turned to look at him. “Then stop waiting. He made his own choices. He called the police on his own mother. He insulted his father. He even said he would never want to be our child in any lifetime. We responded to his choices in the only way we could to protect the rest of us. Guilt is something we do not need and cannot afford.” Kael stopped moving his hand. “You really feel nothing?” “I feel free,” I replied. “I feel like a heavy shadow has finally been lifted from my life. His hatred used to hang over this house every day. Now Lucas and Sophia can grow up without being afraid whenever their brother enters a room. I can finally enjoy my life with you. That is more than enough for me.” He leaned closer and kissed me agai
Alina’s POV The iron gates of the residential treatment center slammed shut behind our car. The sound felt final, and strangely, it brought me some satisfaction. Ethan’s screams were still ringing in my ears. His cries were loud and broken. In the past, hearing him scream like that would have made my whole body tense with fear and worry. But today, I simply listened as his screams slowly faded while Kael drove us down the long driveway and onto the main road. I kept looking at the side mirror until the building disappeared behind the trees. Only then did I lean back in my seat and release a slow breath. “He hated me more than ever,” I said. Kael kept both hands firmly on the steering wheel. “He looked at you as if he wanted you dead.” “I know. I saw it myself.” I turned my head to look at him. “When the nurse tried to lead him inside, he turned around and pointed directly at me. He screamed that I was the reason Liana was gone. He screamed that I had finally gotten rid of him jus
Liena’s POV When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was a white ceiling and walls above me. For several seconds, I simply stared at it without moving. Everything felt strange. My body felt heavy, and my head hurt like someone had hit me with a stone. A faint smell of medicine filled th
Leina’s POVKael leaned closer to Helena, his expression calm and gentle.“I’m sorry you had to see her earlier,” he said softly while touching her hand across the table. “She showed up unexpectedly. I didn’t plan for that.”His voice was warm. The exact same soft voice he used on me for years.“Bu
Leina’s POVAs if nothing had happened, Kael’s expression quickly softened.“My Luna…” he called gently while walking toward me. Like I hadn’t just caught him holding another woman.“Sweetheart…” he said again, smiling warmly. The same smile that used to melt my heart every single time. “Happy anni
Leina’s POV“Happy tenth mating anniversary, my Luna!”Maya, my personal assistant, walks into my room with a bright smile on her face. Her cheerful voice fills the quiet room immediately, and I turn toward her with a soft smile of my own.“Thank you, Maya,” I reply quietly.Ten years. The words ec







