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CHAPTER 51: Shackles That Bind
Last Updated:
2025-01-31 07:42:50
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Zac leaned against the table, his fingers tapping lightly against the surface. “He can be a little… selective,” he admitted, hesitating before forcing a small smile. “But just be yourself.” Mia raised an eyebrow. “Be myself… What does that even mean?” Zac exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “My grandfather likes people who are genuine. He respects confidence—those who own their story instead of pretending to be something they’re not.” Mia gave him a dry look. “Zac, we are literally faking it.” “I know,” he said with a weak smile. “But you? You don’t have to pretend. Trust me, you’re fine just the way you are.” She shook her head, still uncertain. “I don’t know… I was your P.A., and I never even went to college. Won’t he find that suspicious?” “About that,” Zac started, choosing his words carefully, “there’s no point lying to him. He doesn’t even need your credentials, Mia. Just make him believe you value the foundation of family and relationships. That’s all.” Mia hesi
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The hum of the helicopter filled the air immediately after Zac guided Mia inside it, his grip firm yet gentle. “I wanted to keep this private, away from the cameras,” he murmured, helping her inside. “It’s not the right time for us to be seen. Not just yet.” Mia settled into the plush leather seat, the luxury of the private helicopter sinking in. She had never been in one before. As she reached for the seatbelt, Zac was already there, securing it for her. His fingers brushed against her skin briefly, sending an unexpected jolt through her. “Are you comfortable?” he asked, his voice low. She nodded, though her heart had started to race—not from the altitude but from the proximity. “You look beautiful tonight,” he added. His voice was quiet, but it reached her over the hum of the helicopter. She turned to face him, blinking at the unexpected compliment. Her first instinct was to tease him, but something about the way he said it—soft, genuine—made her pause. “You look pretty well
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Mia woke up with a quiet stretch, her thoughts still settling. For once, there was no rush—no urgent calls, no work emails, no chaos. She exhaled slowly before climbing out of bed, savoring the rare peace. Today, she would finally talk to her mother again, continuing from where they left off yesterday. But when she stepped out of her room, the house was quieter than she expected. “Samantha,” Mia called, walking toward the living room. “Where’s Mom?” Samantha looked up, setting her phone aside. “She left early this morning.” Mia frowned. “To where?” “I have no idea,” Samantha said. “She was on a call when she left. Seemed like something urgent.” A sharp exhale left Mia’s lips. “Geez, this is getting annoying.” She ran a hand through her hair. “Why can’t she just be available when I actually have something important to tell her? I thought her coming here was supposed to help us reconnect.” Samantha watched her for a moment before sighing. “I don’t know. But, honestly?
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The smell hit him first—dust, hay, and dried sweat soaked into the wooden beams. Zac stepped into the poorly lit space, the creaking barn door closing behind him with a hollow thud.It was a secluded ranch, far from the city. Not marked on the map, or easy to locate. The kind of place where if you screamed, the echo would fade—and no one would ever hear you.A single bulb dangled from a rusty hook above, casting a sickly orange glow over the center of the barn.Below it, a man was seated in a worn-out chair, slumped but barely breathing.It was Brian.His wrists were bound, ankles tied to the legs of the chair, head low like he couldn’t lift it anymore.His face was swollen, bruised around the mouth and cheek. Blood crusted along one eyebrow. His breathing came in short bursts. Every inhale looked like it cost him something. Still, his eyes were wide open, darting around at the figures that stood in the shadows around him.Zac didn’t speak at first. He just stood there, arms folded, a
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Mia didn’t move. She relaxed on the couch, back straight, legs crossed, and her hands folded loosely in her lap. Bella continued, zeroing in like a missile. “What the fuck is she doing here?!”Angelo stepped in fast. “Hey—hey, Bella, whoa—chill.”But Bella shoved right past him. “No. Don’t ‘chill’ me. Is this what we’re doing now?” Her eyes blazed as she jabbed a manicured finger toward Mia. “I thought she was happily married.”Mia didn’t answer. Her eyes stayed level as she held herself together.“Hey, you!” Bella raised her voice, meeting Mia’s eyes. “Or is your husband suddenly not enough anymore? Or do you just have this… disease—jumping on every man who shows you attention?”“Bella,” Angelo warned, stepping forward again, blocking her path. “Please… don’t do this.”“Oh, I’m doing it,” she snapped. “She’s a goddamn married woman, sitting in your house like it’s a weekend getaway. What is this—some rehab retreat for junkies?”Mia rose slowly, intentional in every step. Her voice w
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The tension in the beach house felt like it had a pulse of its own.Zac scoffed, stepping back. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What the fuck are you even saying?”“You know exactly what I’m saying,” Angelo didn’t flinch. “You dragged her into your world.”“My world?” Zac’s voice rose. “Wait—are you blaming me for this? For that video?”“Of course I have every right to blame you!” Angelo snapped, stepping closer. “Ever since you made her sign that damn contract, she hasn’t had a single moment of peace.”Zac’s expression twisted, his fists flexing at his sides. But Angelo didn’t stop.“She never wanted this life.” Angelo shrugged, spreading his arms. “And now—look at her—caught in this bullshit again.”“You know nothing, Angelo,” Zac retorted, his voice low. “I didn’t know things would be like this. I’ve always protected her, and I still will.”“Ha-ha-ha. How heroic,” Angelo replied, his tone taunting. “Because every time she needs you… you’re not there.”“Well, I’m here now.
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By the time Angelo got to the tech corner behind the stage, Jonathan was already there—his face red with panic. He was yelling at the tech crew, who were hunched over a console blinking with error lights. “Take it down!” Jonathan barked. “Get the damn video off the screen! Now!” “We’re trying, sir!” one of the tech guys snapped, fingers flying over the keyboard. “It’s not responding—system error keeps flashing. It’s like a virus or something, an override! The damn thing won’t shut down!” Jonathan cursed, then stepped back with wild eyes. He grabbed a thick cord running to the display hub. He yanked at the wires, pulling one loose. A small spark flew, and the large screen in the main hall went dark. A collective gasp echoed from the hall, but the damage had already been done. An alarm started to wail in the distance—soft at first, then louder. Security teams moved in with accuracy, their earpieces crackling. VIP guests were already being ushered out a side exit, leaving the
