ВойтиThe silence in the boardroom is thick enough to suffocate. It is Mr. Bennett’s first time setting foot inside the corporate headquarters in over five years. Though his health is declining, the commanding authority that built Zenovar hasn't faded when you look at him. The guards instantly freeze, their eyes widening as they recognize the true owner of the company. They look at Victoria, then back to Mr. Bennett, and wisely step back into the hallway, bowing their heads respectfully as they mutter words of genuine apology.Mr. Bennett gestures toward the board members. “Sit down, everyone. There’s no cause for alarm.”They sit at his command and greet him warmly, excited to see him. But Henry Bennett doesn't smile. Today, he doesn't look like the frail, dying man I sat across from in the restaurant yesterday. “D—Dad…” Victoria stammers, her voice cracking as she tries to force a polite smile over her panic. “You... you weren't supposed to be here today. The doctors said you needed re
“I'm asking you to be the daughter I always wished Victoria was.”Henry Bennett’s voice echoes in my head as I fasten the cuffs of my sleeves. I stare at myself in the vanity mirror, my fingers tracing the gold-embossed business card sitting on the counter. He told me he has less than a year. He is dying. A billionaire titan, surrounded by unparalleled luxury, yet completely and utterly alone. I stare at my left wrist. The number under my skin is exactly 100. Eight months have gone by since I opened my eyes and saw myself standing at the altar where Daniel and I first said ‘I do’ before he and my family planned my death. I have three months and a few days left. Will I be able to escape death this time? Will I be able to live on as every normal person? Or would death eventually find me once the number on my wrist hits 0?Just like Mr. Bennett, my fate is unknown. He said he might die before it’s even a year. Maybe that’s why I feel the sudden, fierce pull toward him. I don't understa
JADE“Your recent absences have compromised your performance, Jade!” Victoria’s voice pierces through the air.“I did exactly as you asked—”“No,” she snaps, cutting me short. “You did what you wanted to do. Little Miss Perfect, aren't you?”I sigh and shake my head. Victoria can’t hide her unhinged jealousy anymore. Honestly, it’s becoming so obvious and agitating. She finds fault in everything I do. It’s never good enough for her. She slams her palms onto her desk, leaning forward until her face is writhed in anger. “Frankly, I no longer see any need for your assistance.”I raise a brow, aware of where this is going. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“Consider your services terminated,” she says sternly, folding her arms. “Effective immediately!”I don't flinch. I stand perfectly still, looking at the hopeless envy exuding through her makeup. She isn’t mad about missed hours because I always worked from home whenever I wasn't available at the office. She is mad because she lost Zayn
~MARIE~I haven't seen a fierce woman like Barbara. She’s more money hungry than I am. I’ve known her since she was a little girl and I can’t believe she’s grown up to become this cruel. Jade is surrounded by snakes. She’s lucky to have escaped. I wish luck had never shone on her. I want that money more than I want her to breathe. By the time I drag my exhausted, humiliated body back to the house we’ve called home for the past couple of years, the worst had already happened. The front lawn is chaotic. Three heavy-duty moving trucks are backed up to the entrance, and uniform-clad workers are ruthlessly hauling out our dining sets, armchairs, and racks of clothes, tossing them carelessly into the cargo holds.“What is the meaning of this?!” I scream, running up to the foreman, who is checking items off a digital clipboard. “Our grace period isn't up until midnight! You can't touch our things!”The foreman doesn't even look up. “Rental agreement was terminated legally at 8:00 AM today,
~BARBARA~Zayn is the devil.Zayn is the devil.I keep repeating it like a mantra as we’re blindfolded, taken from the basement, and loaded in the back of a vehicle. Deep in the dense, freezing wilderness, the van doors fly open. Under the cover of a pitch-black, midnight rain, Zayn’s men drag us out. The blindfolds are cut from our hollow eyes.“Where... where are we?” Daniel coughs, collapsing into the mud, clutching his filthy plaster cast. “Please... don't leave us here…”A hefty man stands over him, his flashlight beam cutting through the downpour, pinning Daniel to the earth. “You're alive. That's more than you earned. If any of you ever touch the boss’s wife again, the boss will find you before the ink on a police report can even dry. If you try to report to the cops, you'll be charged with kidnapping, murder of a couple men, and the attempted murder of Jade Hemsworth.”“We won't,” Natasha says. “We won't say anything! We swear to God! Just leave us alone!”I slowly lift my hea
He doesn't respond or take his eyes away from me. He doesn't move either. He just stands five feet away, his chest heaving slightly under his unbuttoned overcoat, his raw knuckles glistening faintly in the dim light. He looks like he’s completely off guard, caught in the middle of a heinous crime. He takes a step toward me. “You shouldn't be down here.” “What have you done to them?” I gesture toward the glass cage, my hands trembling. “Look at them. Look at Daniel. Look at Barbara. Are you—are you starving them to death? Is that what you plan to do?” Zayn’s expression hardens instantly. He doesn't look at the cage like I asked him to. His eyes stay locked onto mine. “I'm doing exactly what needs to be done. They forfeited their right to humanity the moment they laid their hands on you.” “This isn’t justice!” I cry, taking a step toward him, my hands clenching the fabric of his robe draped over my small frame. “This is torture, Zayn! If they stay down here another day, their organs
“Don't look so shocked, Princess,” he whispers, guiding me forward before I can pull away. “A father wouldn't miss his daughter's big day, would he? You never told me you were getting married to a Hemsworth. He’s an even better suitor than Daniel. Financially, yes. But don't you think you’re cheati
“You’re staring at that phone like it’s going to explode,” Ella says, flopping onto the plush velvet sofa with two glasses of champagne. “Zayn has a very cute guard standing right outside the door. He’s protecting us.” “Dave!” “Oh! That's his name?” “Yeah. He’s Zayn’s personal guard.” Ella
“Don’t leave me ever again,” Barbara says with a scowl on her face. I stiffen, her words replaying in my ears like a broken record. “How would you go on knowing you were the reason your best friend died?” “What are you talking about?” I ask, my hands shaking from fear and horror as her cunning s
“Promise me, Jade. Sisters forever.” “I promise.” The memory of Barbara’s voice makes my stomach turn. I remember the smell of smoke and gasoline from eleven years ago—the night her parents died. I still remember the intensity of her screams and feel her body against mineI as I held her hand whi







