LOGINZYRAN’S POVI snapped the lighter shut with a click. The sound jolted me out of the memory. A tear slipped from my eye and rolled slowly down my cheek.I hated that memory, I truly detested it because it reminded me of the bastard I used to be. I was a psycho so addicted to fire that I stood there and watched innocent victims burn instead of trying to save them.Even now, I still loved fire. The deep, primal fascination remained buried in my mind, but it wasn’t as strong as before. I had spent years fighting it, trying hard to overcome that sick addiction, especially after the tragedy that shattered my life.I remembered coming home from work at just twenty-two, finding my childhood home fully engulfed in a big fire. I knew my father was trapped inside, yet, instead of running in to pull him out, my pyromania took over. It paralyzed me on the front lawn and I became completely engrossed in watching the fire consume everything. By the time the paramedics arrived, it was too late. My fa
ZYRAN’S POVI stepped out of the shower and quickly wrapped a towel around my waist. Warm water dripped down my chest as I walked into the walk-in closet to put on a suit. Once I was dressed and my hair looked perfect, I walked down the staircase toward the kitchen, hearing the sounds of my family starting their day."Good morning, my wife," I smiled, walking behind Roosevelt and wrapping my arms around her waist. I pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, and she leaned back against me with a happy sigh."Good morning, Zyran, your coffee is already poured and sitting on the island," Roosevelt replied, turning to hand me the mug. Her eyes sparkled with the love that always made my heart race.I took a slow sip of the coffee and looked across the kitchen. Mina was quietly wiping down the counters, I made sure my voice stayed calm and normal, hiding my feelings deep inside so I wouldn't ruin the peaceful morning."Good morning, Mina," I said smoothly, taking another sip of my coffee as I leane
MINA’S POVI paced back and forth in the basement. My chest heaved with rage as my hand hovered over my stinging cheek, and I could still feel the humiliating impact of Roosevelt’s hand hitting my face."I am going to kill her," I hissed to the room and kicked the leg of the bed so hard that my toes throbbed. "I will tear apart her fucking life!"I reached into my bra and pulled out the burner phone, my fingers shook aggressively as I dialed Mateo’s number and pressed the phone hard against my ear, i didn’t even wait for him to say hello when he answered."I can't take this rubbish anymore, Mateo, I’m done being the useless maid for that woman!" I screamed into the phone, keeping my voice low and vibrating to avoid being heard upstairs. "She slapped me, Mateo! She actually raised her hand and hit my precious face!""Mina, lower your voice and calm down, what did Roosevelt do to you?" Mateo demanded, his deep voice crackling."She slapped me! She fucking hit me so hard I fell backward
ROOSEVELT’S POVThe loud crack of my hand hitting Mina’s cheek echoed in the bedroom, the force of the slap knocked her back onto the rug. She raised her hand to cover her rapidly reddening face, staring up at me in shock.I stood over her, my chest heaving as adrenaline surged through my veins. Looking down, I spotted a tiny, sharp plastic sword by Lorna’s knee, stained with a drop of bright red blood.In an instant, my protective rage disappeared, replaced by a chilling wave of horror, I realized she hadn’t hurt my daughter, it was just a stupid toy.“Mama, why did you hit Aunty Mina?!" Lorna wailed, holding her bleeding pinky finger to her chest, her eyes were wide with confusion and fear as she glanced between me and her on the floor.“Oh my God,” I gasped, covering my mouth with my hands as I dropped to my knees beside Mina. Guilt hit me hard, making it hard to breathe. “Mina, I am so sorry, I panicked when I saw the blood!”“It’s okay, Roosevelt, I know you were just scared for
MINA’S POV"Look at the pretty dress I made for the princess, Aunty Mina," Lorna giggled, holding up a plastic doll as we sat cross-legged on the soft pink rug in her bedroom, I smiled my sweetest, most innocent smile and gently brushed a dark curl away from her face. Winning her over was the easiest game I had ever played."It is the most beautiful dress in the whole world, my darling," I cooed softly, making sure my voice sounded sweet. "You are so so smart, and I just love playing with you so much, you are my favorite person in this house.""I love playing with you too, you are my best friend," Lorna beamed, leaning forward to hug my arm. A dark thrill rushed through my veins because she was already choosing me."We are going to be best friends forever, Lorna, and I will always keep your secrets," I whispered, handing her another toy chair for the dollhouse. "Because best friends always stick together, right?""Right!" Lorna cheered, happily arranging the furniture inside the litt
ZYRAN’S POVI walked into the mansion and loosened my tie as the doors clicked shut behind me. The exhaustion of the day weighed down my shoulders, but my heart felt light because I knew my beautiful wife was waiting for me upstairs.I needed a moment to clear my head before seeing her, so, I pushed open the door of my study and stepped into the room. The first thing that hit my senses was a faint, sweet smell lingering in the air.Vanilla.I paused and took a slow breath, the scent immediately reminded me of Mina since it was the same perfume she wore when we were teenagers growing up together.I shook my head and let out a soft sigh and decided to ignore it and walked over to the sofa in the corner to sit down and relax my muscles.As I leaned back and rested my hand on the chair, my fingers brushed against something hard and cold wedged deep in the leather. I reached down and pulled it out, holding it up to the dim light coming through the window.It was a silver hairpin.I stared
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







