LOGINChapter 18Kingsley sat on the far end of the sofa, deliberately distant from his mother.Felix had just finished his polite chitchat with Tessa before she carried Luna upstairs, her small body limp with sleep, fallen asleep in Mrs Voss’s arms. The house had grown quiet—but not peaceful.“Why show up unannounced?” Kingsley said at last, his gaze fixed on the floor.His mother inhaled slowly. “King, I’m your mother. And this—” she gestured vaguely between them, “—this hostility has to stop. You treat your family like we’re a thorn lodged in your flesh.”A humorless smile tugged at Kingsley’s lips.“Do you really think showing up now will make up for what you did when Luna was born?” His voice hardened. “Because it won’t.”Felix shifted uneasily. “Brother, calm down. Mother had her reasons—”Kingsley shot him a glare sharp enough to silence him.“Do you know how it feels,” Kingsley continued, his voice rising, “to raise a newborn alone? To wake up every night, every single night, wonderi
~~~Next Day~~~Tessa woke with a throbbing headache, her skull pounding like it had been split open. The taste of alcohol lingered on her tongue as she groaned and squinted at her phone.“Oh my God— it’s ten. Luna’s late for school!”She shot out of bed, splashed water on her face, and bolted from her room.“Tessa!” Teresa called as she flew down the stairs.“Why didn’t you wake me up? Where’s Luna?” Tessa demanded, panic sharp in her voice.“She’s already at school.”Tessa froze. “What? And Kingsley—sorry—Sir?”“He instructed us not to wake you. I got Luna ready and sent her off.”Tessa dragged a hand through her hair, frustration simmering.That bastard. He got me drunk. This is his fault.She muttered an excuse and stormed back to her room, throwing herself onto the bed and rolling onto her side.“What the hell happened last night?” she whispered. “Why can’t I remember—”Her breath hitched.Fragments slammed into her mind. His face. His scent. The heat of his breath—Her eyes flew
Kingsley’s RoomKingsley sat on the edge of his bed, head bowed, fingers clasped tightly together.He had lost his temper with Tessa earlier, and that mistake irritated him more than he cared to admit. He knew her well enough now—once she woke up, she would threaten to leave.And he couldn’t allow that.She can’t leave Luna, he thought darkly. And she definitely can’t leave me.His hand dragged through his hair roughly as he exhaled. Then, slowly, an idea formed.A small, calculated smile appeared on his lips.“I just need something to soften her,” he muttered.He reached for his phone.The beep sounded softly before Vince’s voice came through.“Boss.”“Get me flowers,” Kingsley said calmly. “Something women like. Make it convincing.”Before Vince could ask questions, the call ended.Kingsley took a long shower, letting the water wash away any trace of agitation. When he stepped out, he dressed carefully, choosing clothes that made him look relaxed—approachable.By the time Vince retu
Chapter 15~~~~~~~~~~Tessa stumbled down the grand staircase of the mansion, her hand gripping the banister slick with her own blood. Every breath tore through her chest as she forced herself deeper into the darkened hall. Behind her, footsteps echoed—slow, steady, deliberate. Hunting her.“Enough hide and seek, Tessa…”The voice slid through the shadows, cold and amused. Tessa pressed herself behind a marble pillar, clamping a trembling hand over her mouth to quiet her sobs.“Come out… come out, Tessa.”His tone was playful, almost sing-song, which made it even worse.A silhouette drifted into view, his steps unhurried as though he already knew the ending. Tessa fought to stay silent, muscles shaking, tears streaking through the grime on her face.Then—A hand snatched her from behind the pillar.“Found you.”Her scream was ripped from her as he slammed her against the wall. Pain exploded through her ribs, and she hit the floor with a choked cry, coughing blood onto the polished til
Chapter 14~~ NIGHT — VOSS MANSION ~~Tessa had just tucked Luna in, switching off the lamp when a sharp pain twisted through her lower stomach.“Ah—damn,” she hissed, pressing her palm flat against her abdomen.Her cramps were getting worse.Too familiar.“Please don’t let this be what I think it is…” she muttered as she shuffled into her room.She opened her drawer.Paused.Stared.Then groaned loudly.“Oh perfect. Of course. Of course I’d forget tampons of all things.”She dragged a hand down her face. “My uterus hates me.”She marched to Teresa’s room and knocked lightly.Nothing.Knocked again.Still nothing.“Seriously? You pick tonight to sleep like a log?”She jiggled the doorknob — locked.Tessa let her head fall against the door dramatically.“Great. I’m dying.”She trudged back into her room, threw on joggers, a big hoodie, grabbed her phone, and stepped into the hallway.OUTSIDETessa reached the gate, only to find two guards standing there like statues. Arms crossed, eyes
Chapter 13~~ VOSS MANSION — NIGHT ~~The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Tessa sat curled at the edge of Luna’s bed, her fingers gently brushing through the little girl’s hair. Luna breathed softly, her tiny hand still loosely clutching Tessa’s sleeve even in sleep.“Such a lucky girl…” Tessa whispered, her throat tight. “Your dad would burn down the world for you.”Her smile wavered, trembling.“How I wish…” She swallowed the ache clawing up her chest. “How I wish my own dad cared enough to even look at me—much less fight for me.”The thought stabbed deeper than she expected. She blinked hard, but tears still spilled over, streaking her cheeks silently.“Luna,” she whispered, brushing a loose curl off the girl’s forehead. “If something happens to me… my sister… she’ll be all alone. She pretends she’s grown, but she still needs me. I can’t—” Her breath broke. “I can’t leave her.”The room suddenly felt smaller, the shadows heavier.“I don’t want to believe







