Prologue

Prologue

(Present day)

Liana pov…

“Liana.”

Before I could fully open my eyes, he was already in the room.

No greeting. No explanation.

Just… that box. Sitting on the dresser. The one he kept locked, except for nights like this.

My stomach twisted.

“No,” I whispered, sitting up. Dread pooled fast in my chest. “Please, not tonight.”

He turned slowly. That cruel smile never reached his eyes. “You know the rules.”

“I’m tired. I’m not in the mood.”

“You never are.” He said opening the box.

Inside were the clothes.

Not clothes, really, scraps of red lace and black leather. Pieces that made me feel like a stranger inside my own skin.

“Matteo, please…” I rose slowly, voice shaking. “Can we not do this tonight? Just one night?”

He paused, expression hardening.

“You refusing me again?”

“I just want peace. One night. Where you don’t..”

He raised his hand, and I flinched before he even touched me.

He didn’t hit me.

He didn’t need to hit me. His silence screamed louder than violence.

“Go change.” The authority in his voice

Tears blurred my vision.

“You said you wouldn’t do this again…”

“Go. Change.”

So I did.

Because I always did.

When I returned, trembling in fabric that barely covered anything, he was sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Come here.”

I shook my head.

He stood. Moved toward me. Grabbed my wrist.

“Matteo, please, don’t.”

“You’re my wife.”

“I don’t want..”

But it didn’t matter what I wanted.

Like every other time, he took.

He dragged me toward him, not gently. I staggered, but didn’t resist. Not anymore.

His mouth was on my neck before I could speak. His hand already yanking up my nightgown.

“Matteo…” I started, but he shoved me down onto the mattress, Silencing me with the weight of his body.

My skin burned where his fingers dug into my thighs.

My heart pounded—fear, frustration… and a flicker of pleasure I hated myself for feeling.

“I’ll remind you who you belong to,” he growled.

I turned my face away, lips trembling.

It wasn’t gentle.

It wasn’t slow.

And by the end, I lay breathless, staring at the ceiling.

Feeling everything.

Even the parts of me that begged him to stop.

I pulled the blanket over my body and cried. First silent tears… then sobs buried into the pillow.

A knock came, gentle, familiar.

Maria.

I didn’t answer.

She waited. Then entered quietly, holding a bowl of warm water and a soft towel.

She didn’t say a word. She didn’t have to.

I turned my face away, wiping quickly.

“I’m okay.”

She didn’t believe me. But she never asked.

She just set the bowl down and left the towel beside it, folded, careful.

Then she left.

And I was alone again.

After a while I didn’t think. I just moved.

Pick up my Jeans. Hoodie. Sneakers.

Running was the only thing that ever made sense. Even if it tore my body apart.

By the time I reached the gym, it was nearly empty. I didn’t have a pass, my account was still frozen. I stood there, unsure.

The attendant spotted me. And Smiled.

“You’re good to go,” he said. “Permission’s been added under your name.”

“What?” I blinked. “Who..?”

He shrugged.

“No idea. Someone authorized it.”

I hesitated.

But I didn’t question miracles. Not tonight.

I walked in, body aching, soul worse.

I stepped onto the treadmill and ran like I wanted to break something inside myself. The hoodie clung to my skin. And every breath felt like an open wound. I shoved in my earbuds. turned the music up, louder, louder.

My eyes burned. My heart raced.

And I cried while I ran.

Quiet tears.

Because no volume could drown out his voice. Or the weight of what just happened.

Then… a shadow moved beside me.

I slowed. Then stopped.

Pulled out one earbud.

It was him.

The stranger with quiet eyes and unspoken warmth.

He didn’t smile. Just held out his hand.

I hesitated.

But my hand moved on its own, sliding into his.

Warm. Steady.

He gently helped me down.

Then leaned in, voice low.

“Seems like a lot’s on your mind.”

My lips parted, but no words came out.

He leaned closer.

“Since you won’t go out with me… what if we stay here? Somewhere quiet. Safe. A place where you can let it all out.”

I couldn’t speak.

He tilted his head slightly. Do you want that?

I nodded. Barely.

But it was a yes.

He led me upstairs.

I followed, dazed.

Where are we going? How does he even have access,,,, ?

He stopped in front of a sleek black door. No labels. Just a silver handle.

He pulled out a card. Scanned it. Opened it.

I stepped inside.

And stopped cold.

It was stunning.

A private studio-office with floor-to-ceiling glass, ambient lighting, and a velvet couch that didn’t belong in a gym.

On the wall behind the desk, sleek silver letters read:

Titan Core – By M. Reyes

My heart skipped.

“Wait…” I breathed. “This is your office?”

He nodded.

“You’re the owner?”

“Maxwell Reyes.”

I stumbled back.

“Oh my God. You’re the owner. I…I’ve been sneaking in, and you—”

How did I not know I was insulting and disrespecting him(the CEO ) in front of him.

Was he about to arrest me.

I felt ridiculous.

He stepped forward, hands slightly raised.

“Breathe.”