LOGINCarla~Warm water slid down my skin as the two maids worked in silence around me.One stood behind the marble tub carefully washing shampoo through my hair while the other knelt beside the water, gently scrubbing my arms with a sponge. The scent of lavender filled the massive bathroom, almost suffocating in how luxurious it all felt.I hated every second of it.The girls couldn't have been much older than Minnie. Or at least, that's what I thought.One looked barely twenty while the other seemed even younger. Petite frame, pale skin and nervous eyes that seemed to dart around a lot.Neither of them would look directly at me.Not once.Their movements were quick and practiced, almost robotic, as though they had done this many times before.I swallowed hard."Listen..." I tried again quietly. "You both really don't have to do this."No response.Not even a glance.The older one simply reached for my wrist and lifted my arm slightly to rinse soap away.A bitter feeling settled heavily in
Carla~My fists slammed repeatedly against the cold metal door.“Let me out!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, kicking the door hard enough to send pain shooting up my leg. “Do you hear me?! Open this damn door before I kill every single one of you!”I didn't even realise when I started making murder threats that I could never carry out, but I really didn't care.My voice came out hoarse and strained.I had been shouting for hours.At least, I thought it had been hours.There were no windows in this godforsaken room, no sunlight or clock. No way to tell how long I had been trapped down here like some animal. And the only way to receive ventilation was through some rusted vent in the ceiling above.The dim yellow bulb hanging above flickered weakly, barely lighting up the concrete walls around me.“Marcus!” I yelled again, slamming my palms against the metal. “You psycho bastard!”“Oh, give it up.”I gritted my teeth at the groan from behind me before rolling my eyes in annoyance.“N
Damian~"She what?!"My voice thundered across the entire lobby, drawing startled stares from employees and visitors alike. Somewhere behind the front desk, a receptionist nearly dropped her coffee from the sheer force of my outburst.Greta flinched visibly in front of me, clutching her tablet tightly against her chest."I tried stopping her, Mr. Reeves." She rushed out anxiously. "I swear I did. But Carla wasn't listening to anyone anymore. The moment she saw that interview, she just....""Stormed off to confront a mafia boss by herself?" I snapped, dragging a frustrated hand through my hair. "What the hell was she thinking?!"The tension in my chest felt unbearable.My heart had been pounding violently ever since Greta made that call. At first I thought maybe Carla had simply gone somewhere to cool off. Maybe she'd driven around the city to clear her head.But no.Carla had done the absolute worst thing imaginable.She had marched straight into Marcus Grigo's territory alone.I turn
Carla~"Where is he?"My voice echoed furiously through the massive hall as my heels struck sharply against the marble floor."Where's that goddamn son of a bitch?!"The men stationed around the mansion exchanged uneasy looks but none of them moved to stop me.Good.Because at that moment, I genuinely would've clawed my way through every single one of them if I had to.My chest rose and fell heavily as I stormed deeper into the estate.The familiar scent of cigar smoke lingered thickly in the air.And then I saw him.Marcus Grigo.Seated lazily on a large leather chair like some self-satisfied king upon his throne, one leg crossed over the other.A cigar resting comfortably between his fingers.Completely relaxed, completely calm. Like he hadn't just attempted to destroymy reputation on live television moments ago.His eyes landed on me immediately.And to my disgust...They lit up with amusement."Oh," he drawled smoothly. "You're here."The smug grin spreading across his face made r
Carla~"What the hell?!"My voice echoed violently across the office as I stared at the massive television mounted against the office wall.On the screen sat Marcus Grigo himself.Relaxed and smiling.He was looking entirely too comfortable for someone I wanted dead at the moment."I've always shared a very close relationship with Carla Dunbar," he spoke smoothly into the microphone, dressed in an expensive black suit while reporters practically hung onto every word leaving his mouth.I felt my stomach twist violently.Beside me, Greta muttered a quiet curse beneath her breath.Marcus continued talking."After my grandfather's passing, she remained one of my biggest supporters. Honestly, I don't think I would've managed this transition without her guidance."A reporter leaned forward immediately."So Ms. Dunbar is actively affiliated with the Grigo family?"Marcus smiled.That bastard actually smiled."Let's just say Carla and I understand each other very well.""And yes, she actually
Carla~A painful groan escaped my lips the moment consciousness hit me.My head felt like someone had smashed a hammer repeatedly against my skull all night long.I buried my face deeper into the pillow for a moment, squeezing my eyes shut tightly as another throb pulsed through my temples.Never again.I was never drinking that much wine again.Slowly, I forced myself upright on the bed, only for dizziness to slam into me almost instantly."Ugh..."I pressed two fingers against my forehead while trying to steady myself.That was when a throat suddenly cleared somewhere beside me.I froze.My head snapped toward the sound so fast I nearly gave myself another migraine."Greta?"Standing beside the bed was Greta herself, dressed neatly in a fitted office skirt and blouse while holding a glass of water and a packet of ibuprofen in her hand.Her brows were raised knowingly.And judging from the unimpressed look on her face... she had been standing there for pretty long time."Oh thank God
Carla~“Mommy?”I looked up at the small voice with a soft smile, my fingers pausing mid-motion as I finished tying Ryan’s shoelace. He sat on the edge of the bed, legs swinging slightly, already dressed and far too alert for someone his age at this hour.“Yes, baby?” I asked gently, tugging the la
Carla~The leather seat beneath me was soft but still managed to feel very uncomfortable.I guess there was really nothing like comfort for someone who felt like she was being hauled back into a life she had clawed her way out of.I sat at the backseat of the luxury car with my arms wrapped tightly
Carla~I woke up with a gasp, my heart slamming violently against my ribs.For a split second, I didn’t know where I was. Then the silence registered, too quiet. The kind of quiet that made dread coil in my stomach.“Ryan?” I whispered, already throwing the covers aside.I rushed out of bed, my bar
Xavier~“Run the test again!” I barked into my phone, my grip tightening around it. “I want to be certain. I want no mistakes.”My fingers drummed restlessly against the steering wheel, the muted thud of leather beneath my knuckles the only thing keeping my temper in check.The engine was off, the







