MasukAnnabelle’s POV
He slept in the guest room with me, saying he didn’t trust me not to disappear in the middle of the night.
Whether that meant protection or just control, I wasn’t sure.
But I noticed he hardly slept. His eyes kept shifting from my face to the IV drip line, like he was monitoring both for signs of collapse.
I woke up slowly, the white sheets soft against my skin, the ai
Antonioni’s POVI was in my private lounge, seated, the mailer's letter in my hands, when I saw Diego’s neat, familiar handwriting. The mailer had said I had mail. I was curious because I barely get any mail. Especially, obecauseone can now easily send messages anytime, just with the communication devices.In his letter, Diego confessed he couldn’t bring himself to say it to me directly. That he was leaving Shadows to form his own gang.I read on. He admitted he didn’t know how I would react, that’s why he couldn’t say it face-to-face. That he felt there was something more to his purpose than serving forever, which is why he was seceding.Then, the part that made me smirk despite myself: he begged that we could still remain in touch, that we could be great business partners. The boy had been disrespectful recently…and now he comes with this?This is the letter in fu
Antonioni’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
Authorityyscent of authority and restraint filled the air. I sat on the bare bench, back straight, palms resting lightly on my knees. I've been to court like three times before, I knew every hererulaand nd e here, every procedure, every precedent that might come into play. I expected it all. The
Antonioni's POVI didn’t hear about Martinez when it happened.That was the first insult.I was in Cambodia—standing under lights, shaking hands, signing documents, playing diplomacy like it wasn’
Annabelle's POVBy morning, the constant buzz from my phone woke us both up.“Oh my God!” I screamed, and even I could feel the intensity of my own voice, startling Antonioni awake beside me.“Ann
Antonioni’s POVThis particular day, the courtroom did not feel like a place of justice. It felt like a place of memory.Also, today, it breathed differently. Congested. Papers made sounds. Shoes scraped. Somewhere behind me, someone c







