LOGINMINA’S POVI walked down the sidewalk with the blue pickup card in my pocket, the thrill of victory rushed through me because Roosevelt had actually given me her most prized possession, but as I approached the corner bakery, a realization hit me hard, causing me to stop in my tracks.I pulled out my burner phone and dialed Mateo's private number. After two rings, his deep, impatient voice came through the speaker, demanding to know if I had the kid yet."Is she in the car?" Mateo asked quickly, his voice thick with desperation. "I have the secure video link ready on my laptop, so just put the phone on the dashboard so I can see her face and talk to her for a few minutes.""We have a problem, Mateo, and I am calling the car off," I whispered, stepping into the shadow of a brick building so no one could hear me. "We are not doing the video call today, so tell your driver to leave.""What the hell are you talking about, Mina?" Mateo growled, his anger spiking. "I arranged that car just s
MINA’S POVThe sharp edge of the ceramic cut deep into my palm.Blood quickly welled up, dripping down my fingers and splashing onto the tiles. The pain was intense, but as I looked at the blood, a wicked idea flashed in my mind.I didn’t grab a towel but didn’t try to stop the bleeding.I pressed my hand against my chest and let out a loud, pathetic cry."Ah!" I whimpered, closing my eyes and forcing my body to tremble.I heard Roosevelt’s quick footsteps rushing into the kitchen."Mina!" Roosevelt gasped.I opened my eyes, she was staring at the blood dripping onto the floor, she didn’t seem angry about the broken plate, her caring, overly kind instincts kicked in right away."I’m sorry!" I cried, shrinking back against the sink, making my voice shake with terror. "I’m so sorry, Roosevelt! The plate was slippery! I didn't mean to break it! Please don’t tell Zyran!""Forget the plate," Roosevelt said quickly, her cold, strict tone was gone. "Let me see your hand.""I can clean it up,
ROOSEVELT’S POVThe house was quiet.I sat on the living room sofa, holding a cup of warm tea as I watched the woman across the room.Mina was on her hands and knees, her hair was tied back in a messy knot, she held a wet cloth, scrubbing the baseboards near the fireplace.She didn’t look up, she just scrubbed the wood intently.For the past two days, this had been her entire life, she woke up before the sun, cleaned the house, washed the clothes, and kept her head down. As soon as her chores were done, she ran back down the stairs to the basement and locked herself inside.She was terrified of Zyran and was terrified of me.The doorbell suddenly rang.Mina gasped loudly, she dropped the wet cloth and scrambled backward, pressing her back against the fireplace. She pulled her knees to her chest, shaking violently."It’s just the door, Mina," I said calmly, setting my tea down. "You don’t need to hide.""I’m sorry," Mina whispered, her voice cracking as she kept her head down. "I will
ROOSEVELT’S POV"I didn't sleep at all," Zyran whispered.I turned over in the bed, the sun was just beginning to rise. Zyran lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, his jaw was tight."You held me all night," I said softly, resting my hand on his chest."Because the devil is sleeping in our basement," Zyran growled and turned his head to look at me, his dark eyes showed worry. "I hate this, Roosevelt, I hate knowing she is under the same roof as you and Lorna.""She is locked downstairs, Zyran," I reminded him gently. "She is terrified and not a threat right now.""A snake is always a threat," Zyran said, sitting up, running his hand through his hair. "Even when it is hiding in the grass, I should have called the police.""If you called the police, the man who hurt her would find her," I replied, sitting up next to him. "I couldn't let that happen, I am a mother, Zyran, I can't just throw her away like that.""Your heart is too good for this world," Zyran sighed, kissing my forehea
MINA’S POV"Get in," Zyran growled, pushing me roughly into the cold, damp basement room, his eyes burned with a hatred that made my chest ache."Zyran, please, it's so cold down here," I whimpered, wrapping my arms around my shivering shoulders and looking up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes."Do not speak to me, do not look at me, and do not ever say my name again," Zyran hissed as he stepped into the room, towering over me like a shadow. "You are only alive right now because my wife has a kind heart, but if it were up to me, I would have left you to rot outside.""I know, I know I deserve your anger," I sobbed, dropping my head and playing the broken victim perfectly."You deserve much worse than my anger, Mina," Zyran said, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper that echoed off the walls. "I warn you now, if you step one inch out of line, if you look at Roosevelt the wrong way, if you even breathe near my daughter, I will not call the police, i will drag you down to the river an
ROOSEVELT’S POVThe tray hit the floor with a loud crash, sending hot water and broken porcelain flying across the hallway. I was frozen in shock, my body still as I stared at the woman on my front mat.Mina stood before me, but she didn’t resemble the arrogant, cruel woman who had tried to ruin my life five years ago, the scar that had once sliced down her cheek was gone, her skin looked smooth and flawless in the dim light of the hallway."What the hell are you doing here?" Zyran shouted, his voice tremoring with rage as he stepped back, pushing me behind his shoulders for protection. "How did you find this address? What did you do to your face?"Mina didn’t smirk or laugh as usual Instead, she let out a loud, pained sob and dropped to her knees on the floor, her hands trembling as she looked up at us with wide, terrified eyes."Please, Zyran, don’t shut the door," Mina begged, her voice cracking and breaking into a desperate one. "I know you hate me, I know I deserve it, but I have
ROOSEVELT’S POVI sat in the back of the SUV, pulling Zyran’s suit jacket tighter around my shoulders as I shivered.I watched him through the tinted glass staring at his phone screen.Suddenly, his whole body went rigid.The phone slipped from his fingers and he didn't even try to catch it. He jus
ROOSEVELT’S POVMy head snapped to the side. A sharp, burning pain shot across my face. I stumbled back, hitting my hip against the table. I tasted warm copper in my mouth.For a moment, the room was silent."What the hell are you doing?!" Zyran roared.His deep voice shook the crystal glasses on t
The ride back to the mansion were moments of tears and exhaustion.When my cab finally pulled up to the iron gates, the house was dark except for the bright light coming from the living room window.I took a deep breath and placed my hand over my flat stomach, drawing strength from the tiny heartbe
ROOSEVELT’S POVThe cold night air hit my face, but I struggled to breathe.The pain in my stomach felt like a hot knife twisting inside me. I grabbed the rough brick wall of the building, my fingers scraping against the stomach as I shut my eyes tight.Please, no, I begged silently. Not my baby. P







