LANADread washed over me as they tore the bathrobe wrapped around my body.One of the men commented, "The girl is so pretty."Another laughed sinisterly. "I will go first."While their hands roamed over me, they argued among themselves. Suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps approaching.Before they could force me to the floor, the entrance door flung open. A man, panting and sweating, shouted, "Let her go! Don’t touch her!"They all stopped and turned to him.I lay there, frozen, tears streaming down my cheeks, my lips tightly pursed. I had already lost all hope when I heard the man’s words."Why?" one of the men asked.The newcomer shot back coldly, "Go and tell Anthony if you’re dissatisfied."He walked over, wrapped me in a duvet, and helped me to my feet. Overwhelmed, I broke down in tears.As he guided me out of the room, I was surprised when he said, "Dress up; you’ll be leaving the ship."Hearing this filled me with excitement and relief. I rushed into the bathroom, washed up, and
LANAI waited for the deputy sheriff to return, but it took him over twenty minutes to come back to his seat. He assured me, “Your stepdad Bernardo will be apprehended and brought to my office. Don’t worry; you will get the justice you deserve.”“Thank you,” I replied.He nodded and had me record my statement. We waited for over thirty minutes before Bernardo was brought into the deputy sheriff's office in handcuffs.When he saw me, he clenched his jaw and glared at me with hatred in his eyes. I looked back at him coldly, showing no fear or weakness.The sheriff didn’t interfere for a moment before saying, “Bernardo, these are serious allegations. If found guilty, you could face jail time.”Just then, I heard my mom’s voice yelling from the entrance to the deputy’s office, “Where is that cheap slut who wants to lie and throw her father in jail? Where is she?”I narrowed my eyes at Bernardo, whose lips curled into a mocking smile. My heart jolted as I realized I had made a big mistake
LANAAfter a week in Washington, my life had taken a turn for the better. I landed a job as a bartender and made a friend named Christina. I never knew I could feel this happy. I was even considering taking a double shift to register for high school.It was January 2nd when I stepped out of my apartment to head to the bar. Just as I was hurrying along, my phone started ringing. Without checking the screen, I answered."Hello?" I said, but there was silence on the other end. Growing impatient, I warned, "If you don’t speak up, I’m hanging up. I’m running late for work."Then I heard a familiar voice. "Lana, my child, it’s your mom. I’m sorry."Hearing my mom's heartbreaking tone didn’t stir any emotions in me. I had become immune to her manipulations after years of being a victim. I replied coolly, "If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up."I could almost hear her gasp, surprised by my indifference. After a moment, she composed herself. "I miss you so much, Lana. Where are you? Mommy i
LANAI grabbed my phone and switched it off. For the next few days, I was free from the constant calls from my parents. But everything changed that weekend when I reported to work.My manager, Clifford, informed me, “Someone is here to see you.”I furrowed my brows, wondering who would bother to come see me. I didn’t know anyone in Washington aside from my colleagues.“Thank you, Manager Clifford,” I replied before heading to the only private room in the bar. When I opened the door, I found Bernardo waiting for me.I wasn’t surprised to see him; I would have been shocked if it hadn’t been him. He stood up when he saw me, looking haggard with unkempt facial hair and noticeably thinner.But I pushed aside any concern and asked coldly, “Why do you want to see me?”Bernardo didn’t answer right away. Instead, he pleaded, “Lana, your mom and I have hurt you so much. I’m sorry. Please, take a seat and hear me out.”I crossed my arms, maintaining an expressionless face, and shot back, “Is my
LANAI stiffened and turned around, only to see Bernardo had stopped following me and was walking away.“Who?” I shouted after him.He turned, spread his arms as if to say something, then casually resumed his departure. Frustration bubbled within me, but there was nothing I could do about his refusal to answer.I jogged for ten minutes but gave up, unable to shake Bernardo’s cryptic words from my mind. Restlessness gnawed at me.When I dressed for work, it was the first time I arrived earlier than anyone else; the cleaners were shocked to see me.Soon, the manager arrived and teased, “Lana, dreaming about the bar?”I forced a smile. Throughout the day, I kept myself busy, not taking a break, surprising everyone with my enthusiasm as I even helped them with their tasks.At noon, two men in black suits entered the bar, and my heart sank. Anxiety washed over me as they approached the counter where I was serving customers.“Lana, right?” one of them asked.“Yes,” I replied, my voice shaky
LANAI opened my eyes and craned my neck to see Maximum standing behind me. His arm was wrapped around my waist, and surprisingly, I felt no discomfort in his embrace."Maximum, you're holding my woman," Pedro said, his voice icy, his eyes blazing with fury.I felt Maximum lean in and nibble my neck, a sensation that sent shivers down my spine. I leaned into him, craving more of that warmth."She doesn’t seem to agree with you," Maximum replied, pausing his playful teasing.Pedro clenched his fists and lowered his gun, narrowing his eyes as he warned, "Why protect a whore? She’s up for sale. Is it wise to make an enemy…?"Maximum cut him off coldly, "One more word, and your corpse won’t make it to New York."I was taken aback by the power behind his words; Pedro stood there, seething but silent. I glanced at Maximum, intrigued by the strength that could silence a mafia boss. He simply smiled and said, "Darling, let’s go home."My cheeks flushed at his endearing words. He often seemed
LANAWhen I saw his face, I was rendered speechless. My eyes widened in disbelief as I blinked twice, wondering if what I was seeing was real.His lips curled into a smirk, and he chuckled before asking, "Why are you speechless?"The corners of my mouth twitched. It was only natural to be at a loss for words when my expectations had been completely shattered. Why on earth did a man have such a stunningly beautiful face?Clearing my throat, I finally managed to say, "You’re really pretty."He sighed ruefully and pulled a mask over his face. I was left searching for words. Was he embarrassed by his looks?"That’s why I always wear a mask," he explained, standing up. "Men always hit on me."He turned and walked toward the door, and I tensed, worried I’d upset him. "Are you mad at me?"He paused and glanced back, shaking his head. "No, I’m not. Goodnight."Then he opened the door and left. Once he was gone, I made my way to the kitchen, realizing just how hungry I was. I devoured a big pl
LANAI looked around the room, searching for my handbag so I could make a call, but I couldn’t find it. Frustrated, I leaned against the wall and sat down, lost in deep thought.The creaking sound of the door caught my attention, and I got to my feet. My legs shook, and I struggled to maintain my balance.Before I could steady myself, Bernardo walked into the cell room, wearing a smile that wasn’t really a smile.“Hey, Lana! Why are your legs trembling so much? Are you having an orgasm while thinking about me?” he asked with a smirk.I felt a wave of disgust churn in my stomach at his crude comment. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure as I stared at him.“What do you want?” I asked coldly. He looked at me and laughed, a chilling sound.He slipped a hand into one of his pockets and then looked at me silently for a moment before sneering. “Lana, you didn’t realize where you are and the situation you’re in. Let me tell you: you are now a slave—a complete slave without right
LANAMy father leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead in frustration. He clasped his hands on the table and said, "Lana, you should know your mother comes from the Wilson family. Her background and social status are on a different level. The rich don't care about the poor. You should understand this by now."I fell silent, pondering his words. He continued, "The Wilson family is a nightmare. Your mother didn't care about my background; she was interested in me and our love. That's why I never mentioned my family to her."I recalled what Maximum had said about my dad's feud with the Wilsons and his possible manipulation of my mother. My heart skipped a beat.Dad looked me in the eye and asked, "Lana, you believe me, right?"His eyes were filled with expectation, and I couldn't bring myself to express my doubts. So, I lied, "I trust you, Dad."He nodded, dismissing me with a wave. "You must be tired. Go rest."I got up and left his room, but I couldn't shake off the worry about
LANAHearing Maximum's side of the story, I felt a glimmer of hope that the situation was still salvageable.I let out a breath of relief, but then he turned to me and asked, "Do you believe me, Lana?"There was so much hope in his eyes that I couldn’t bear to let him down. I chose my words carefully. "Look, babe, I've been deceived and fooled all my life. It’s hard for me to accept all this, but I trust that you would never lie to me. You wouldn’t, right?"Maximum smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "It's okay, Lana. I’ll earn your trust back someday. You should go home now; he might make a move if you stay."I hesitated, reluctant to leave. But his warm smile reassured me. "I will come for you, babe," he said softly.I nodded, turning away with a heavy heart. As I stepped outside, I spotted the driver pacing anxiously. When he saw me, surprise flickered across his face, quickly replaced by composure. "Miss, are you done?" he asked tentatively.I could read between the lines.
LANAI thought that by staying silent and ignoring him, my dad would just leave. Instead, he shut the door and strode over to my bed. He sat down and remained quiet for a while, and I hoped he wouldn’t say anything. But then he broke the silence."Lana," he began, "I know you might suspect me—think I’m behind the kidnapping, that I set up Mark for this."He paused, taking a sharp breath. "I’ll admit, I wanted Maximum dead. But not at the cost of your life. I won’t put you in danger to achieve my goals."My heart raced. I had never expected him to confess that he wanted Maximum dead. I wanted to pretend to sleep, but I couldn’t keep my composure any longer.Then, to my shock, he continued. "I know you’re listening and questioning why I want him gone. He hasn’t told you, but that bastard did something unforgivable. I won’t rest until he pays."I froze at his words, feeling a chill run down my spine. He sneered, "He killed my brother, and he has to die. Goodnight, my princess."In that m
LANAMaximum didn’t finish what he wanted to say, but I could sense his meaning, and it shook me to my core.He turned off the television and walked toward me, pulling me close and kissing my forehead. “Don’t be scared, Lana. I promise I’ll come for you. We’re going to get married.”I looked into his eyes and nodded. “I believe you,” I replied softly.A smile spread across his face, and he kissed my forehead again before saying, “You can leave now.”I felt a wave of reluctance wash over me, but I knew that staying would only provoke my father further. I turned toward the door, glancing back more times than I intended.As I descended the staircase and stepped outside, I was met with a scene of chaos: rows of police cars lined the street, and helicopters hovered above.A small smile tugged at my lips; I never imagined such a grand display was all for my return.My gaze swept over the crowd until I spotted my dad, deep in conversation with someone. When he noticed me, he abruptly halted
LANABefore I could escape, Mark grabbed my arm. I tried to push him away, screaming, "Let go of me!"He turned and slapped me hard across the face, leaving my head buzzing. "If you don't want to get hurt, you'd better cooperate and behave."My ears rang from his fierce warning, and I struggled to keep my eyes open as he dragged me down the mountainside.When I looked around, he was already pulling me into a cave. Armed men with guns surrounded us, and I knew I had to plead for mercy. "Mark, think of your friendship with my dad. Please let me go."He laughed, looking at me with disdain, then ordered his men, "Tie her up."He shoved me to the ground, pain shooting through my body from the impact. I looked at him with resentment, but he ignored me and walked away.Once I regained my senses, I found myself being tied up with ropes. No matter how much I struggled, they easily restrained me and forced me into a corner.I had lost track of time in the dark cave. My body ached, and exhaustio
LANAI didn't completely trust what Maximum had said about my father, but in that moment, I realized it was crucial to help my mother break free from her one-sided love for him.I took her hands, and for a brief moment, she seemed present. To my surprise, she smiled brightly, and I felt a flicker of confusion at the sudden warmth in her expression."Mom," I said softly.Suddenly, her eyes filled with tears as she replied, "I’ve been waiting for this moment, Lana—the day you finally forgive me."I was taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words.I squeezed her hands gently and said, "Mom, what if you’ve been living a lie? What if everything you believe about Dad isn’t true?"Her expression shifted to one of confusion, and I realized she had no idea what I was trying to convey. I pressed on, "Consider this: what if Dad doesn’t love you? What if he’s been using you to achieve his own goals? What if—"Before I could finish, she jerked her hands away, her eyes narrowing with fury.She lea
LANAAfter living with my mother for so many years, I could easily tell when she was lying; her body language gave her away.I sneered, "Stop trying to fool me, Mom. The Lana you knew is gone. If you think I’ll fall for your lies, you’re dreaming."My mom wasn’t shocked. Instead, she became furious and snapped, "What kind of daughter are you? Aren’t you worried that your father hasn’t kept his promise? He hasn’t even introduced me as his fiancée to any of his friends, but he’s been flaunting you around?"I shrugged nonchalantly. "Not my problem, Mom. You’ve spent years in street fights and passed out drunk in bars. Do you think Dad wants to show you off with that history?"She froze at this, and I realized she’d either forgotten her past or was choosing selective amnesia. Did she think her past actions were forgotten just because she claimed to have changed?With a sigh, she asked, "Lana, are you going to judge me like everyone else?"I yawned, stretched, and replied, "Mom, I’m tired.
LANAStanding behind me was Maximum, my boyfriend, wearing an expressionless face. He reached out and pulled me into his arms, and I buried my face in his chest, feeling a mix of comfort and tension."Stop trying so hard. I will never let you have her," Maximum warned sternly, his voice low.I turned to glance at Mark. His face was dark, fists clenched tightly, clearly furious that Maximum had interrupted."Stop acting arrogant. You’ll never be able to marry her. The more you try to ruin my plans, the more painful it will be when I finally take her to the altar as my wife," Mark replied confidently, a smile creeping onto his face.I was taken aback by his stubbornness. Did he really think he could have me despite my relationship with Maximum? He certainly had a big heart."Really? You’re sure I can’t marry her?" Maximum retorted playfully, a glint in his eye."Yes, you can’t," Mark shot back confidently.Then, in a shocking twist, Maximum dropped to one knee. The music in the backgrou
LANAWhen I heard the news, I was speechless. Though I had never shown much interest in my dad's business, I knew that Lionel's Corporation was publicly traded and ranked among the top twenty companies in the state."Dad, you don't need to do this..." I tried to reason with him, but he replied firmly, "You are my princess. You deserve this and more."I stood there, unsure of what to say next. My dad was incredibly stubborn; once he made up his mind, there was no changing it. I finally resigned myself to the fact that he wouldn’t be taking back the shares."Lana, are you coming home with me?" he asked.I hesitated. I didn’t really want to go back, but since he had made the effort to come to my place and made promises, I replied, "Let me just tidy up here, and I’ll come with you."He smiled and said, "Dress up! I’ll pick you up in an hour."Before I could ask where we were going, he had already left. I quickly cleaned my room, then headed to the bathroom for a shower, knowing my dad’s p