MasukCEASERThe alarm hadn't even gone off yet, but the pulsing throb behind my eyes was already screaming. I woke up with a bursting headache that felt like a localized thunderstorm trapped inside my skull. Rubbing my face, I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. I needed to shock my system awake. I turned the shower knob to freezing cold and stepped under the spray. I didn't linger; it was a rushed, mechanical routine. Within barely two minutes, I was already twisting the tap shut, shivering but slightly more alert.I threw on a pair of dark jeans and a plain green t-shirt, not really caring how I looked. After a quick, careless swipe through my hair to present some semblance of order, I headed downstairs.The clinking of silverware against porcelain echoed from the dining room. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw them. Mom, Dad, and Evelyn were already seated, halfway through their morning routine. The sight of a perfectly normal family breakfast felt jar
CATHERINEThe fist in my hair was unrelenting. It wasn’t a gentle tug; it was a violent, rooted grip that felt like my scalp was being ripped entirely from my skull. I didn't even have time to register the blinding pain before I was launched forward. For weeks, that suffocating, windowless room had been my entire universe, a stagnant box of shadows and isolation. This was the first time I was leaving it, not on my own two feet, but like a piece of unwanted cargo thrown into a corridor.I hit the floor hard. The impact vibrated through my entire body, a dull, sickening thud that centered right on my left knee. I felt the skin split, the sharp fire of a deep bruise instantly forming against the cold concrete. Instinctively, I curled inward, my hands flying to my abdomen. My stomach clinched in an agonizing knot, a visceral reaction to the sheer force of the fall. The pain was immense, radiating through my torso in hot, heavy waves that made it impossible to breathe.Before I could e
CATHERINEI woke up to the soft warmth of sunlight spilling through the window. The golden rays stretched across the room, lighting up the walls and making the space seem almost peaceful. For a brief second, I forgot where I was.Then reality hit.I was still trappedI got out of bed and walked over to the window. My first instinct was to pull the curtains shut and block out the sunlight. The brightness felt annoying for some reason. When I reached the window, I checked it out of habit, but it was already locked tight. Whoever had put me here had made sure there was no possible way for me to escape.I stared at it for a moment before letting out a small sigh."Figures."Turning away, I headed into the bathroom. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and freshened up. It felt strange carrying out such normal routines while being held against my will. Stranger still was the fact that I was slowly getting used to this place.It was ridiculous.Any sane person would be terrified.Yet here I
CHRISI had no idea what was going on inside Emily's head, but whatever it was, it wasn't making things easy for me.Ever since she woke up, she'd been acting strangely, and it was driving me crazy. Did she regret what happened last night?Was it because she had been drunk?Did she think it was a mistake?The questions wouldn't stop running through my mind.I had woken up before her that morning. For a while, I just lay there watching her sleep. It felt stupid, honestly. I couldn't even explain why I kept staring at her face. It was like watching a movie I never wanted to end.She looked peaceful.Too peaceful then she stirred slightly.I quickly shut my eyes and pretended to still be asleep.A few seconds later, I felt itThat feeling you get when someone is staring at you.I knew she was looking at me.The silence stretched, and I almost opened my eyes to catch her, but I held back. Then suddenly the mattress shifted, and I could tell she had laid back down.A smile tugged at my lips.
EMILYI woke up feeling a heavy arm draped around my waist. For a few seconds, I remained still, my sleepy mind struggling to catch up with reality. Then everything from the previous night came rushing back at once.My eyes widened."Oh my God."I quickly covered my face with both hands as pure embarrassment washed over me. How could I have acted that way last night? The memories replayed in my head one after another, making me want to disappear beneath the blankets.I carefully turned my head and froze.He was still asleep.My heart immediately skipped a beat.The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow across his face. For a moment, I found myself staring.And staring.And staring.Now I understood why every girl seemed to lose her mind whenever he walked into a room.How could someone look that perfect?His features looked like they had been sculpted by an artist with endless patience. His jawline was sharp, his dark hair slightly messy from sleep, and e
HENRYI was going through some files in my office when I heard a knock on the door."Come in," I said without looking up.The door opened and my PA stepped inside."Sir, she's back."I lifted my head immediately. My brows furrowed."Who?" I asked."Miss Karen."The moment her name left his lips, I froze.For a second, it felt like the air had been knocked out of my lungs. My grip tightened around the pen in my hand, and I stared at him in silence.After all these years."Should we go after her, sir?" he asked carefully.I shook my head.The surprise on his face was obvious. He probably expected me to order a full investigation on her whereabouts immediately.Instead, I leaned back in my chair."Get her a gift.He blinked."A gift, sir?""The best necklace you can find."He looked confused, almost like he wanted to ask a hundred questions, but he wisely kept them to himself."Yes, sir."He turned and left the office.The moment the door closed, I let out a long breath.So she was finally back.Af







