LOGINAntonioni’s POVI didn’t expect to find Milo like that. Curled slightly forward, shoulders shaking, head buried in his hands like something inside him had broken loose.For a split second, my instincts sharpened.Danger. Loss. Bad news. “Milo?” I called, my voice already tightening.He didn’t answer. Bukky moved faster than meIhis time, stepping closer, crouching slightly. “Guy… what happened?” he asked, cautious, almost bracing.Milo dragged his hands down his face, exhaling hard. Then he laughed. A broken, breathless laugh. “I—” he started, then stopped, shaking his head. “I don’t even know how to say it…”I frowned. This wasn’t how men reacted to loss. This was something else. “Milo,” I said again, firmer this time.He looked up. And I saw it. Tears. Actual tears siare tting in his eyes. Not from pain. Not from grief. But something deeper. Something
Annabelle’s POVThe air in Michigan felt different. Lighter… Calmer…As the car rolled through the school gates, I leaned my head slightly against the window, watching students move about like nothing in the world could touch them. Books in hand. Laughter. Conversations that held no weight beyond assignments and weekend plans. Normal.I exhaled slowly. This is what normal looks like. I was already getting tired and couldn't wait to graduate. But then, I have to face what's before me first… It's half semester and I'm just returning now. A lot got me hooked on Antonioni's world.“Welcome back,” the driver said from the front seat.I gave a small nod. “Thank you.” But deep down, I knew something already… Normal didn’t belong to me anymore. Not after everything. Not after him.Talking about him, he felt very sad when I was leaving. I had never
Antonioni’s POVIt was finally the day of the events. The media event and the European Best Choices Award night.By the time I had dressed and left my room, heading toward the Dome’s main door, I spotted Diego standing there.“Morning,” I said, raising an eyebrow, wondering about the sudden rebellion he had started showing recently.Diego held out a card. “This… this is my sister’s wedding card,” he said quietly.I blinked. Does he have a sister? “You have a sister?”“She refused to talk to me for fifteen years,” Diego said, jaw tight.I adjusted my collar, taking a slow breath. “Diego… I haven’t seen you in a week. Even if you wanted out, showing a little respect would’ve gone a long way. But you didn’t.”Diego’s eyes flickered defensively. “I was in my mood that day,” he muttered.
Annabelle’s POVIt was finally the day of the events. The media event and the European Best Choices Award night.By the time Antonioni had dressed and left his room, heading toward the Dome’s main door, he spotted Diego standing there.“Morning.”,Antonioni said, raising an eyebrow.Diego held out a card. “This… this is my sister’s wedding card,” he said quietly.Antonioni blinked. HeDoes he have sister? “You have a sister?”“She refused to talk to me for fifteen years,” Diego said, jaw tight.Antonioni adjusted his collar, taking a slow breath. “Diego… I haven’t seen you in a week. Even if you wanted out, showing a little respect would’ve gone a long way. But you didn’t.”Diego’s eyes flickered defensively. “I was in my mood that day,” he muttered.Antonioni studied him careful
Lorenzo's POVIdiota. I slammed the phone down on him, the line crackling with his weak excuses. “Michigan, Scales! You went all the way to Michigan for her, and what? Nothing?” I barked. “You couldn’t even find her in her apartment? At night, Scales. At night!”Silence on the other end.“Answer me! Do you know how much money you wasted? How much time? How many resources Idid ttrustyou with? And this… this is what I get?”A pause. I scoffed. “No more. From now on, II'llgo myself. Marta comes with me. You? You’re done…”I kicked the sheets back, pacing, then paused mid-sentence, trying to still my mouth from the loud moan that escaped it. My lips curved, dangerous. “Ffffffuck… shit… Mama, you’re raw fire.”I completed my sen
Antonioni’s POVThe news hit like a sledgehammer. Khalid Al-Malzoui… dead. Committed suicide. My chest tightened instantly, my mind refusing to process it fully. I could see the shock mirrored in Annabelle’s eyes, but she maintained a mask of composure. Damn it… Khalid.I wanted to shout, to throw something, to rip the walls apart. But there was no one to take my fury out on—only the empty echoes of his betrayal.“Was the deal really clean?” I asked, my voice quieter than I felt, but it carried the weight of my tension.Bukky’s words barely registered at first. “Honestly… it doesn't look like a scam. It looks like a coincidence that he died after the deal.”My jaw clenched. One quarter of my empire had gone into that deal. I could almost feel the sting of hard luck if it wawereerely coincidental. But if it was a scam… I could feel my blood boil just thin
Annabelle’s POVIt was now the day of Antonioni's third hearing, and final crime listing. The last case they said is the most difficult of them all.I knew something was wrong before I heard it.It wasn’t informational. It was that familiar, terrifying pull in my chest, the one I had come to recogn
Annabelle’s POVThe turbulence was not an accident.I knew it the moment instinct overtook fear.The helicopter didn’t just shake, it lurched, violently, as if struck from its side. Metal screamed. The calm hum of flight
Antonioni's POVThe television was mounted high on the wall, bolted like everything else in this place, just to make sure it was out of reach and untouchable. It was as if it were meant only to remind us that even information was rationed.I
Annabelle's POV The fluorescent lights above Martinez’s bed shone softly. I sat beside him, holding his free hand, willing him to wake. The other hand had a blood transfusion ongoing with it. The smell of antiseptic filled the Park Clinic’s ward.Each beep of the monitor was a small victory. Each







