(Vivian’s POV)
My head throbbed like it had been cracked open. The dull ache behind my eyes pulsed with every heartbeat, and for a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was—or who I was.
Then I realized I couldn’t move.
My wrists were bound above my head. My ankles too—tied together. I was lying on a bed that wasn’t mine, surrounded by dim red lighting and the sickening stench of sweat and perfume.
Panic seized me like a wave crashing through my chest.
What the hell is this? Where am I?
I tried to sit up, to scream, but my mouth was dry and my limbs wouldn’t cooperate. That’s when I noticed what I was wearing—a barely-there piece
(Kai’s POV)The moment the hotel suite door clicked shut behind us, I turned the lock and faced her. My wife.My wife.The word sounded unreal in my head, too beautiful to be true. But there she was—Vivian Rosendale-Reyes now—standing barefoot on the marble floor, wrapped in white silk and innocence she no longer had. At least, not with me.She looked up at me beneath thick lashes, her cheeks slightly flushed from the champagne, or maybe from knowing what came next.“You're mine now,” I said, voice low, deliberate.Her lips parted, but she didn’t speak.Good. I didn’t want her to.I stepped forward, grabbed her by the waist, and pressed her back against the wall with my body. “Do you have any idea what that means, Vivian?”She gave a soft, shaky breath. “You’re going to tell me, aren’t you?”I smiled—dark, possessive. “No, baby. I’m going to show you.”I kissed her like I hadn’t seen her in years. Hard, hungry. She tasted like wedding cake and trouble. My fingers tangled in her hair a
(Vivian’s POV)The cheers still rang in my ears.I couldn’t believe I was finally married to Kai Reyes. My Kai. The man who saved me, loved me, and never gave up on me even when I was broken. The weight of that reality still hadn’t fully sunk in.The reception had ended in a blur of champagne toasts, laughter, and nonstop smiling until my cheeks ached. My fingers kept grazing the wedding band on my left hand, as if checking to see if it was real.Now, we were finally alone.I was sitting on the edge of the bed in our honeymoon suite, still wearing the long white gown, but barefoot, my heels discarded somewhere across the room. Rose petals were scattered across the floor and bed. Candlelight flickered across the walls. The soft hum of jazz played in the background.The door clicked behind Kai, and I looked up. He had just finished a quick call to Willem, making sure everything was settled with the guests downstairs.When he turned to me, his eyes softened—like I was the only thing in t
(Vivian's POV)Two months had passed since that horrific night—since I was kidnapped by someone I once considered a friend. Darius. Just thinking about his name sent a chill down my spine. I had trusted him. I had laughed with him. And yet, behind my back, he was planning the most evil, degrading thing anyone could imagine. If Kai hadn’t found me in time, I don’t know where I would be today… or what I would have become.But Kai did find me.He saved me—like he always does.The nightmares still came sometimes, but they weren’t as paralyzing as before. I had Kai. And his arms were the safest place in the world. With his help, my family’s support, and hours of therapy, I started to feel like me again. Stronger. Wiser. Loved.And today… today, I was going to marry him.“Breathe, Vivian,” my maid of honor whispered, laughing softly as she adjusted my veil. “You’re going to pass out before you walk down the aisle.”I took a deep breath, letting my eyes flutter shut for a moment. “I’m not ne
(Vivian’s POV)My head throbbed like it had been cracked open. The dull ache behind my eyes pulsed with every heartbeat, and for a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was—or who I was.Then I realized I couldn’t move.My wrists were bound above my head. My ankles too—tied together. I was lying on a bed that wasn’t mine, surrounded by dim red lighting and the sickening stench of sweat and perfume.Panic seized me like a wave crashing through my chest.What the hell is this? Where am I?I tried to sit up, to scream, but my mouth was dry and my limbs wouldn’t cooperate. That’s when I noticed what I was wearing—a barely-there piece
(Author’s POV)The clock struck midnight. A quiet desperation crept into every corner of Kai’s luxurious penthouse. The city lights outside glittered like false hope, mocking the way his heart pounded in fear. His phone screen lit up with yet another call attempt—Vivian’s number again. But the same automated voice pierced his chest like a dagger.“The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable…”Kai clenched his jaw, throwing the phone onto the marble counter. His hands trembled. He had lost count of how many times he had called her. Dozens. Maybe hundreds. Every single second without her felt like torture. He wasn’t just worried—he was terrified.“Damn it, Vivian… where are you?” he whispered, his voice thick with anguish.The last message she had sent replayed in his mind on a loop: “Heading to meet the client now. Shouldn’t take long. I’ll text you after.”But she never did. And now… her phone was off.Kai had called everyone. Martha, her loyal secretary, had answered
(Author's POV)The tires of Lynne’s car crunched against the gravel as she pulled up near the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean. The wind was fierce, whipping her hair across her face. She cut the engine and stepped out, her eyes scanning the desolate yard ahead. The house stood alone, eerie and cold, its silhouette casting long shadows in the late afternoon light.Darius appeared moments later, walking from the direction of the main building. His steps were calm, precise—predatory. There was a faint smirk on his lips, but his eyes were calculating.“Did you get her here?” he asked without preamble, hands in his coat pockets as he approached Lynne.Lynne nodded quickly, avoiding eye contact. “She’s inside the car. Still unconscious.”Darius arched a brow and looked toward the black sedan. “You did exactly as I instructed?”“Yes,” she said, her voice brittle. “I pretended to be a client. Took her to a casual restaurant. We talked about the art event... I offered her water in the