PHOEBEIt felt like my heart dropped to the floor the minute I stepped inside the house. The warm, fluttery feelings that had been buzzing through me all afternoon after hanging out with Ramon disappeared in an instant. One look at my mom’s face and I knew something was wrong.“Phoebe,” Grandma said gently from the living room, her voice tight. She gave me a small nod, her expression serious. I barely had time to say hi before the tension hit me like a wave.“What happened?” I asked, dropping my bag by the door.Mom didn’t even look at me. She was sitting on the couch, staring at nothing, like she’d checked out of reality. Her eyes were red like she’d been crying for hours.“Phoebe…” Grandma walked over slowly, her steps heavy, and put her hand on my arm. The look on her face made my stomach twist into knots. There was something in her eyes, something serious, something that made me feel like I needed to sit down even though I was still standing.“It’s your great-grandfather… and your
PHOEBEI kept staring at mom, waiting for more, waiting for her to say something that would make all of this make sense. But she didn’t. She just sat there with that forced smile on her face, like that was supposed to be enough.“It’s not just the stress, is it?” I asked quietly.“Phoebe, don’t…” she started, but I cut her off.“No, Mom. Don’t brush me off. You look like you haven’t slept in days. You’ve barely eaten, and you’re acting like… like you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders. And now, with Grandpa getting worse, you’re falling apart, and I don’t know how to help you because you won’t let me in!” My voice cracked at the end, and I blinked back tears, frustrated that I couldn’t keep it together.Mom’s face softened, and for a second, I thought she might finally open up. But instead, she just sighed and reached out to take my hand.“I’m okay, Phoebe. Really. I just… I need some time to figure things out. And I need you to focus on yourself, okay? You’ve got so much a
SHAWNAI was sitting on the edge of the bed after the kids had left, staring at my hands like they held all the answers. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. My mind was a mess, full of doubts and exhaustion. Then Damien walked in, shutting the door softly behind him. For a moment, he just stood there, watching me, as if he wasn’t sure whether to say something or let me be alone with my thoughts.“You okay?” he asked gently, his voice cutting through my haze.I let out a shaky breath. “Not really,” I admitted.Damien came over and sat next to me. His hand brushed mine as he settled in beside me, and for a moment, I felt a small spark of comfort. “What’s on your mind?” he pressed.I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh even to my ears. “What isn’t on my mind?” I said. “I feel like I’m losing myself, Damien. Every time we win one battle, another one shows up. It’s like I’m stuck in a never-ending war. I’m exhausted, and I don’t even know how to stop fighting anymore.”He leaned back and rested his
PHOEBEI sat in the living room, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. After I left Mom, I met up with my brothers in the hallway. Their faces were tight with worry and frustration.“Phoebe, what’s going on?” Jasper asked, folding his arms.I shook my head. “Everything’s falling apart again. Every time we finally get happy, something bad happens.”Billy frowned, his face tight. “It’s like we’re cursed. Nothing goes right when things are good.”Jasper snorted. “Yeah, every time you smile, disaster follows.”I looked down, my voice trembling a little. “I don’t know why, but I think Ramon might be able to help. He’s different from those others.”Billy’s eyes shot open, anger flashing. “Ramon? You’re not supposed to be seen with him, Phoebe. He’s not welcome in our business.”Jasper’s tone turned cold. “We don’t want him involved. You should stay away from him.”I frowned. “Why can’t you see that he might actually be useful? He listens. He cares.”Billy shook his head sharply
PHOEBEIt happened so fast.One second, I was stepping into the garden, trying to calm down after that fight with my brothers, and the next, I was screaming because there was someone standing in the shadows. My heart jumped into my throat, and I stumbled back.The figure turned toward me, and my scream cut off when I saw his face.“Ramon?” I whispered, my voice shaky from the scare.“Hey,” he said, pulling back the hood of his cloak and giving me that lopsided smile that always made my stomach flip.“What are you doing here?” I asked, still trying to catch my breath. “And why are you sneaking around in my garden like some kind of… vampire hiding from the light?”Ramon chuckled softly, and without a word, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a small bouquet of flowers. The petals were soft-looking and a deep shade of purple, and they smelled like wild berries and fresh rain.“I missed you,” he said, his voice gentle. “And I had a feeling you were having a bad day.”My heart squeeze
PHOEBERamon stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about us… about this.” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck like he wasn’t sure what to say. “I didn’t want to rush it, but I couldn’t wait anymore. You’re important to me, Phoebe. I wanted to do this right.”“The right way?” I whispered, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.Ramon nodded and reached for my hands. His touch was gentle, and his thumb brushed across my knuckles in a way that sent shivers up my spine. “Yeah, the right way,” he said softly. “So… Phoebe, will you be my girlfriend?”For a second, I could only stare at him, my brain struggling to process what he’d just said. Did he really ask me that? Was this actually happening?“Yes!” I blurted out, a huge smile spreading across my face. “Yes, Ramon, I’ll be your girlfriend!”His face lit up, and before I knew it, he had pulled me into his arms. He hugged me so tightly, that I could barely breathe, and I didn’t care. I
RAMONIt was a quiet night as I walked down Phoebe’s street. I adjusted my jacket and smiled to myself. She’d said yes. She was mine now, and that kiss, damn, that kiss was still burning on my lips.For a moment, everything felt… simple. Easy. But I knew better.My phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the screen. A number. No name. But I didn’t need a name. I knew who it was. I answered.Silence.I waited for a second. No one spoke on the other end, but they didn’t have to. I already knew what they wanted.I hung up without saying a word. I wasn’t the type to waste time on pleasantries.As I reached the corner, I slipped into my car, a sleek, black luxury sedan that purred to life the moment I turned the key. I drove through the empty streets, heading downtown.I wasn’t in a rush. Let them wait. That’s what people like them needed to understand. I was the one in charge. Not them.The warehouse looked abandoned from the outside, with rusted metal walls, broken windows, and weeds gro
JASPER“Man, this guy’s up to something,” I muttered, peeking through the window. My eyes stayed glued to Ramon, who stood there with Phoebe, doing that whole lovey-dovey thing that made me want to gag. She was all smiles, and he… well, something about him just didn’t sit right.I watched as Phoebe giggled, then hugged him like he was the greatest thing since Wi-Fi. When she finally ran inside, I shook my head and let out a breath. I didn’t trust him. Not one bit.The second Phoebe disappeared through the door, I stepped out of the house, keeping my eyes locked on Ramon. Dude didn’t even flinch. He just stood there for a second, looking smug, like he knew something nobody else did.I clenched my fists, ready to march right up to him and demand he explain what his deal was. What was he doing hanging around here like he owned the place? Why was Phoebe acting like he was some kind of knight in shining armor? But then, he did something I didn’t expect. He didn’t linger, didn’t give me a s
PHOEBEMy whole body was sore. My dress was torn, my wrists burned from the ropes, and my eyes stung from crying. I was huddled in a corner of that cold, dark room, shivering as the last of the men ran out like rats. One second, they were setting up cameras, saying the most disgusting things, and the next, they were gone. Just like that.It made no sense. None of it did. Why would they leave me? What scared them off?I was too weak to stand, too confused to think straight. My head was pounding, and I could still feel whatever they had drugged me with swirling through my system. My heart was racing so fast I could barely catch my breath. My legs were pulled to my chest, arms wrapped tightly around them, as if I could make myself disappear if I just curled up small enough.And then I heard footsteps.Fast. Heavy. Coming closer.My eyes shot to the door.I froze.My heart shot to my throat.Were they back?Did they forget something?Were they going to finish what they started?I couldn’t
RAMONI stood in that hotel lobby staring at the manager as if he'd just announced a death. Maybe he had. Because knowing Phoebe had been taken right from under my nose felt exactly like that, like something had died inside me."She was in your care!" I shouted. "She was supposed to wait for me here!""Mr. Ramon," the manager said nervously, "we thought it was authorized…""By whom? My uncle?" I spat. "You took her because my uncle said so? Did she look like she wanted to leave? Did you even ask her that?"No answer. Just that sick, silent guilt on their faces.I didn't waste another second. I turned on my heel, stormed out of the hotel, jumped into my car, and sped straight to Richard's estate. My hands gripped the wheel so hard they ached. My mind was a storm, rage, fear, regret. I kept seeing her face in my head, her smile, the way she had trusted me. And now...She was gone.When I got to the mansion, the guards at the gate crossed their arms."Sir, Mr. Richard said not to let you
RAMONI was dead tired by the time we finished the meeting at the company. My shirt clung to my back, and my head was pounding from all the numbers and back-to-back discussions. All I wanted was to check my phone and unwind, maybe see if Phoebe had texted.I reached into my pocket. Empty.My heart skipped.I checked the table, the chair, and even under the folder I’d used. Nothing.“Where the hell is my phone?” I muttered.My uncle, sitting across from me, raised an eyebrow. “Lose something?”“My phone. I had it before we came here.”He shrugged. “Maybe you dropped it at the house.”I didn’t like how quick he was to answer.Still, I forced a calm nod and stood up. “I’ll go check.”The ride back to his place felt like it took forever. My mind was racing. Phoebe. Had she called? Texted? What if something was wrong? My gut wouldn’t calm down.When I got to the house, I tore through every room I had been in earlier. The living room. The guest room. Even the damn kitchen. Nothing.My uncle
PHOEBEThe hotel was breathtaking, with marble floors, chandeliers sparkling like stars, a scent of roses, and money hanging in the air. My heels clicked softly as I followed the receptionist, who wore a perfectly polite smile. My coat was still wrapped tightly around me, hiding the dress Winnie helped me pick out. My heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and nerves.“He’ll be with you shortly,” the receptionist said sweetly, opening a suite door for me. “Please, get comfortable. There are refreshments inside. Make yourself at home.”I gave a shy nod. “Thank you.”The door shut behind me.The suite was luxurious, with soft couches, a large table with drinks and fruit, and dim romantic lighting. I let out a small breath. “Wow…”I walked slowly to the table, brushing my fingers along the glass rim of a wine glass. Red wine. A chill ran up my spine, and I shook it off. Maybe he asked them to pour it before he arrived. Maybe this was his way of setting the mood.I pulled out my phone.
PHOEBEI slammed the front door a little harder than I meant to when I got home.Winnie looked up from the couch, raising an eyebrow. "Whoa. Somebody’s in a mood. What's wrong, sunshine?"I dropped my bag by the door and flopped onto the armchair with a loud sigh. "It’s Ramon," I said, pouting like a child.Winnie immediately perked up. "Ramon? Spill. What happened?!"I buried my face in my hands for a second before looking up at her. "We kissed. Like... really kissed. It was amazing. He kissed me like he needed me to breathe or something."Winnie squealed, hugging a throw pillow. "Oh my God! Finally!""Yeah, it was incredible," I mumbled, my cheeks heating up. "But right after that, he got a call. Emergency at home. He had to leave. Just like that."Winnie’s face softened. "Oh, babe...""I know he had no choice," I said quickly, fiddling with a loose thread on the armrest. "But... it sucks. I’m losing my mind over him, Winnie. I’m slowly going crazy. I want him so bad it hurts."Winn
PHOEBERamon’s eyes burned into me like I was the only thing he could see. I felt my cheeks heat up under his stare, and I shifted awkwardly on my feet.“Phoebe,” he said, his voice low and rough, “I want all of you…every part of you. I’m not afraid of being with you. I’m just... trying to restrain myself.”My heart pounded so hard it hurt. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out at first. Then I swallowed hard and said, "I want all of you, too, Ramon. I’m not scared."Something snapped between us.Ramon closed the space in a single, hungry heartbeat, grabbing me again and crashing his mouth onto mine. This kiss wasn’t soft. It wasn’t sweet. It was rough, fierce, almost desperate, like he had been starving, and I was the only thing that could satisfy him.His lips crushed against mine, demanding and urgent. I could feel the heat pouring off his body as he kissed me like he needed me more than air. His hand slid up, fingers threading into the hair at the nape of my neck, then wrapping
RAMONI tossed and turned all night. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t sleep. My mind kept racing, full of everything Uncle Richard had said... and Phoebe. Always Phoebe.I was falling for her. Hard. It scared the hell out of me, but it also felt so right. I didn’t just like her, I needed her. Every smile, every look, every word she said stuck in my head like glue.When morning came, I dragged myself out of bed, showered, and dressed like a man on a mission. I didn’t even think twice. I was going to see her. I had to.No more running. No more hiding.When I got to the worksite, she was there already, sorting through some papers, looking so focused and beautiful that it made my heart twist. She looked up and blinked like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing."Ramon?" she said, her voice small but full of surprise. "I thought... I thought you weren’t going to be available anymore."I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling awkward and stupid all at once. "Yeah, about that. I’m
WINNIEWinnie stared at me like I had just grown two heads. "What do you mean you don't know if Ramon likes you enough to be intimate?" she asked, her eyes wide.I hugged my knees to my chest, feeling small and stupid. "I don’t know, Win. Maybe... maybe he’s just not that into me. Maybe he sees me like a kid or something."Winnie shook her head fast. "No way. Anyone with eyes can see Ramon is crazy about you, Phoebe. Seriously. He looks at you like you hung the moon!"I smiled a little, but it didn’t reach my heart. "Then why is he so hesitant? Why does he always back away when things get... close?"Winnie opened her mouth to say something, then paused. Her face changed slowly, like she was putting puzzle pieces together."Wait a second..." she said carefully. "Have you guys ever... you know... done it?"I looked down at my lap, my face burning. "No," I whispered.Winnie’s mouth fell open. "Wait. You mean... never?"I nodded, feeling like I was about to sink into the floor."And he kn
RAMONI stood in the garden, massaging my temples and trying to figure out what just happened. I hated seeing Phoebe hurt. I hated that I was the reason for that look in her eyes, the one that made my chest ache. I wanted to run after her, fix it, explain everything better.I had just taken a step toward the house when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Billy and Jasper coming out. Great. Just what I needed right now.They stood there awkwardly for a second before Billy cleared his throat."Hey, man," he said, not meeting my eyes. "We, uh... we just wanted to say sorry."I blinked, surprised. "Sorry?"Jasper shoved his hands into his pockets. "Yeah. For looking down on you. We didn't know... well, we didn't know you were who you are."I sighed, not really wanting to have this conversation. "It's fine," I muttered, even though it really wasn't."But," Billy added quickly, "we still think you're hiding something. And honestly... we don’t think you're worthy of our sister."Tha