Chapter 5

Heather’s POV 

The Darkness didn’t last forever.

It began to crack. Slowly at first.

Seconds later my eyelids fluttered open..

Pain seeped in instantly.

Dull, heavy and relentless.

A soft groan escaped my lips as I forced my eyes back open, blinking against the brightness that flooded my vision.

Everything was a blend of white and gold.

The ceiling, walls, even the sheets were clean..

For a second, I didn’t move. But then it hit me.

The road, headlights and impact.

My heart jolted violently in my chest.

I winced as a sharp ache shot through my head, memories flashing too fast, too loud. My breath came out uneven as panic clawed its way up.

Am I… dead?

The thought came suddenly.

I swallowed, trying to move, but something felt… off.

My head throbbed.

My body felt disconnected and then I realized… I couldn’t feel my legs.

At all.

Fear shot through me like lightning.

“No…” I whispered, my voice weak.

I tried to move them but nothing.

I tried again and still.. nothing.

My breathing quickened.

“Why can’t I feel…”

The door creaked open and I flinched.

My head snapped toward the sound, heart racing as an older woman stepped in. She was dressed in a maid’s uniform, holding a small tray with a bowl resting on it.

She stopped the moment she saw me.

Her eyes widened.

“Miss?” she said, surprised. “You’re awake?”

I stared at her confused..

Who was she? Where was I?

My lips parted, but for a second but no words came out.

Then finally…

“Where… am I?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

The woman’s expression softened instantly.

“Oh, thank goodness,” she said, stepping closer. “You’re in the Williams Mansion, Miss.”

Williams?

That name!

I’d never heard of any Williams…

But my head hurts too much to think.

“How did I get here?” I asked again, my voice shaking slightly.

The maid smiled gently.

“Young Master Dominic brought you here,” she said. “You were in quite a state.”

Dominic?

I didn’t know any Dominic. My life had revolved around Adrian and Vivianne for two years so I never bothered to make friends outside.

My chest tightened.

“What..”

“Oh!” the maid suddenly said, as if remembering something important. “I need to inform the young masters you’re awake.”

Panic hit me instantly.

“Wait…!” I tried to call out but she was already gone.

The door shut behind her before I could say another word.

My heart began to race.

Young masters?

As in Plural?

Who were these people?

What if…

What if they were connected to Vivianne?

What if this wasn’t safety?

What if I had just walked into something far worse?

“No…” I whispered, my fingers tightening against the sheets.

I had to leave… I had to get out of here.

Now.

Before they came back and saw me awake.

But before I tried to sit up.

Pain shot through my body again, making me gasp.

I forced myself to ignore it, pushing harder… but nothing worked..

My lower body still felt like nothing but dead weight.

“Move… please” I muttered desperately, trying again.

Yet nothing.

That’s when panic rose higher.

“How am I supposed to run?” I whispered frantically.

My mind raced.

Think.

Think Heather!

But before I could come up with anything..

The door opened again.

It was so fast and loud that my heart stopped.

Three tall, striking men stepped in, each commanding attention effortlessly. 

The man in front looked younger, lean, soft features, neatly styled dark hair, and calm, observant eyes behind subtle glasses.

The one in the middle looked like the eldest… broad-shouldered and imposing, with a sharp jawline, low-cut hair, and piercing, authoritative eyes.

The last man appeared refined, dressed in a tailored suit, with slicked-back hair and intelligent, calculating eyes.

And for some reason… They were all smiling widely.

Time seemed to slow.

The one in the middle moved first. Before I could react, he was already at my side, pulling me into a tight embrace.

“You’re awake,” he breathed, his voice filled with relief and emotions.

I stiffened immediately, discomfort crawling through me.

Who was he?

Why was he hugging me so tightly?

The other two stepped closer, standing by the bed, both watching me with wide smiles like they had just been given the best news of their lives.

My heart pounded.

This wasn’t normal. None of this was normal.

I shifted slightly, trying to pull away from the man holding me.

He seemed to notice and quickly let go.

“Sorry,” he said, stepping back. “I didn’t mean to overwhelm you.”

He looked at me carefully.

“How are you feeling?”

But I didn’t care about that.

There was only one thing that mattered.

Who were they? And why was I here?

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady.

“Who are you…” I asked slowly, my eyes moving between all three of them. “And why am I here?”

The man in front of me smiled slightly, though there was something cautious in his eyes now.

“Oh… right,” he said. “I should introduce us.”

He gestured lightly to himself.

“My name is Dominic.”

Then to the others.

“This is Jermaine… and Ryder.”

They nodded at me, still smiling.

Then Dominic looked back at me, his voice softening.

“And we’re…”

He paused for just a second.

“…your brothers.”

My mind completely went blank.

“My… What?” I blinked

There was no way.