He didn't look at the man as he spoke, his tone low and deadly "What hand did you use?"
The man's body trembled violently. His mouth opened but no words came. Silvio's lips curled into a cruel smile.With a fast move, he grabbed the man by the collar, yanking him toward a nearby table. The man's feet slid across the floor as he tried to resist but Silvio slammed him down with force. his body weight pinning the man's hands flat against the surface. For a moment all that could be heard was the man’s panicked gasp. In one swift motion Silvio drove the blade into the man's palm. The man's scream rang out but the blood that spurted from his hand drowned ou he t everything else, spilling onto the table. Silvio’s eyes gleamed with a cold satisfaction as he twisted the knife, provoking another painful scream. He yanked out the blade and the man’s cries grew louder. The room fell silent as Silvio strode to the front, his gaze sweeping over the rest of them. “Let this serve as a warning, anyone who dares lay a hand on her will suffer more than this” he growled They nodded in unison, their eyes remained fixed on the floor “Yes don” their voices barely audible Silvio's boots clicked steadily on the floor as he turned and strode toward Rosa. She still lay there, trembling, hair draped over her face. She had seen what he was capable of. Was she next? Would she be punished for trying to run? Her heartbeat pounded so loudly in her ears but before she could gather her thoughts, Silvio scooped her up with ease, pulling her into his arms. She stiffened but didn’t dare to struggle. The scent of him filled her senses as she buried her face against his chest, too terrified to move. He carried her, not to the cold..empty room she feared, but toward her room. He threw open the bathroom door and shoved her toward the tub.She stumbled, barely catching herself on the edge. Rosa’s pulse quickened..what is he going to do? Silvio turned the faucet higher, the water hissing as it poured out. He grabbed the hand shower, holding it firmly. The cold water hit her head soaking her hair and running down her body, dampening her shirt as she hugged her knees to her chest. Rosa's breath caught, her skin tightening from the shock. Silvio's face stayed unreadable as he tossed the showerhead aside. He grasp her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes “Do you think I'm someone to be trifled with?" His voice was sharp, each word cold and threatening. Tears welled up, slipping down her cheeks as the cold and fear overwhelmed her. Silvio's voice cut through the silence "You better not cry." He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear “Do you?" Rosa's voice trembled as she whispered “No” Silvio's gaze darkened "Why do you keep making me angry, huh? Do you want to see me turn into a monster?" Rosa stayed silent, her heart racing in her chest, but Silvio's frustration snapped "Answer me!" he Roared "No" her voice cracked, barely a sound. His hand shot out, gripping her chin tighter, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Listen carefully and make sure these words stick in your head. You belong to me. I own you. No matter how far you run... l will find you. And the next time you try to escape, l will make sure you're in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. Do you understand?" Rosa's body shook as his words sank in, each one a cold, sharp blade. She nodded, unable to form words. Silvio's lips crashed down on hers,cold and hard. Rosa tried to push him away, her hands against his chest but he was strong. Her chest heaved with panic, and her body burned with disgust. She twisted, but he held her fast. He pulled back slightly, his eyes narrowing. "What?" he asked, his voice dripping with frustration Rosa's breath hitched as she stared back at him, her tears falling uncontrollably. She bit her trembling lip "You are mine" he murmured "And I do whatever I want with you. Understand?" Without another word, his lips crushing hers, hard and demanding. Rosa's hands stayed at her sides, her tears falling without resistance. The sound of her dress ripping echoed in the room, but she couldn't focus on anything except him lifting her up and carrying her to the bed. He threw her down, kissing her fiercely, not giving her a chance to breathe. ***** The morning light slipped through the curtains but Rosa winced as she shifted, the soreness in her legs reminding her of the night before. She drew her knees to her chest, trying to hold herself together. The memories of his hand, his touch.. made her stomach twists. Glancing around the room, she realized she was alone. She bit her lips as tears spilled down freely. This isn't how it was supposed to be. The words echoed in her mind, she had always imagined giving her first time to someone she loved..not the man she hated. **** A month passed in a blur. Rosa was still trapped on the private island, her world confined to the four walls of her room. She hadn't stepped outside since that night with Silvio. She hadn't seen him since, either. A few days ago, she had fallen sick, a fever that left her weak and shivering. Dr. Mira had come and taken a sample, her face unreadable as she worked as if Rosa's presence meant nothing to her. The door creaked open, pulling Rosa from her thoughts. Dr. Mira entered, her expression sharp as ever, with the maid trailing behind her, her eyes avoiding Rosa's. Rosa caught the coldness in Dr. Mira's gaze as it flicked over her. The woman's disdain was clear.. Rosa had always felt it, even without explanation. And She didn't care. "Congratulations, Miss” Dr. Mira said, her voice sharp as she spoke "You are pregnant”The next day, Elena stood just outside the airport, her suitcase by her side. She paused, eyes darting across the busy drop-off lane, then tightened her grip on the handle and rolled it inside.In the waiting area, she sank into a chair, still with time before her flight. She drew a slow, shaky breath. Her fingers trembled as she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out her phone.For a long moment, she stared at the screen. Her thumb hovered above Jia's contact. Her lips parted, just barely as though preparing to speak even before the call connected. But then she stopped. A quiet sigh escaped her. She pressed the power button and slid the phone back into her pocket.Overhead, the intercom crackled "Flight SQ123 to Singapore now boarding"Elena's eyes flicked up. A glint of resolve passed over her face. She stood, grabbed her suitcase and headed to the gate.At the check-in counter, she handed over her boarding pass, barely meeting the attendant's gaze. Then she was walking again,
After snapping a few photos—carefully angled and discreet—Jia curled her lips into a satisfied smile."I never thought l would stumble on such a sweet moment" she murmured to herself.She didn't drive off right away. Instead, she lingered, eyes trained on the scene unfolding before her—Damian slowly pulled away from Mira, only for Mira to hand him a large envelope. He opened it with care and Jia's breath caught as she recognized the familiar shape and grainy black and white image. A pregnancy scan.She knew it the instant she saw it—how could she not? She had once held similar images of her own children.A soft smile crept onto Damian's face. Then his eyes dropped to Mira's rounded belly. Gently, he placed a hand on it, rubbing in slow, reverent circles.Mira smiled too.Jia's breath hitched. Could it be...? No.She shook the thought from her mind. She wasn't going to assume anything. Not yet.Moments later, the both climbed into their car and drove off. Jia let out a breath she hadn
Tiziano didn't miss a beat. He gave the men a curt nod. "Leave” They rose without a word, offered brief bows and exited, the door clicking shut behind them.Tiziano reached for a glass already filled with whiskey, swirling it leisurely as he regarded her "What is it you want?""Why did you fire Brandon?" Elena snapped.A smirk tugged at the corner of Tiziano's mouth. So, that's what this was about. He brought the glass to his lips, taking a slow sip without answering."You still haven't answered me" Elena said sharply.He downed the rest of the whiskey in one gulp, set the glass down and looked at her, eyes narrowing."You already know the answer" he said. "Maybe you should ask yourself.""You are being childish."Tiziano scoffed "Am I?""You are so unprofessional it's pathetic. You let your personal issues cloud your judgment. Brandon didn't do anything to deserve being fired."Tiziano stood and walked around the desk, sitting casually on its edge. "He did one thing,” he said co
"Why are you back so late?" he asked, voice low andsharp.Elena coughed, waving the smoke away "What are you doing here? And how did you get in?"Tiziano didn't answer. His eyes followed her every move as she stepped toward the window. Just as her fingers grazed the curtain, he shot up, grabbing her arm and spinning her around."You don't walk away when I'm talking to you" he snapped.She flinched but refused to meet his gaze. Her eyes flicked back toward the window. She tried to pullfree but his grip only tightened."Let go" she said quietly.Tiziano ignored her, his voice dropped to an icy whisper. "Was I not clear when I said you are mine?That no man is allowed to touch you—let alone take you out? But you—" He yanked her closer "you went against my words and let Brandon touch you"Elena's hands balled into fists at her sides, she stayed silent but when Tiziano gripped her chin, forcing her to face him, she felt the tremor of her breath. His eyes bored into hers."You are real
She stood up and gathered her clothes from the floor, then hurried to the bathroom. Moments later, she emerged, grabbed her bag from the same spot, opened the door and stepped outside.Everywhere was quiet. No sign of Tiziano. Not even serena, the woman she had seen last night. She booked a ride. Less than ten minutes later, the car pulled up outside Tiziano's gate. She got in and it zoomed off.When she arrived home, she made her way straight to the bathroom. She peeled off her dress and stepped into the shower. Water cascaded from her head down her body, washing away the night, but not the voice echoing in her mindYou are mine now. Stay away from other men.She quickly shook the thought away. After her shower, she dressed in a pair of fitted jeans, a white crop jacket, and clean white sneakers.Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Elena stepped outside and got into her car parked out front.She drove to the company building. Upon arrival, she remained in the car for a couple of min
Elena stood in front of the mirror, fully dressed and almost ready to leave. She had on plain black pants and a white silk shirt but Tiziano's words echoed in her mind "Dress nicely"With a sigh, she turned back to the wardrobe and pulled out a black silk gown. It was short, elegant and backless, revealing the delicate butterfly tattoo on her shoulder. She slipped into it quickly, then reached up to untie her messy ponytail.Her hair tumbled in loose waves down her back, softening her look.A sharp car horn broke the silence.That must be his driver, she thought.She grabbed her bag and headed downstairs. The moment she opened the front door, she spotted the black car idling at the curb. As she approached, the driver stepped out quickly and opened the back door for her."Thank you" she murmured.The driver gave her a polite nod, then returned to the front seat. The engine roared softly as they pulled away from the curb.Elena sat quietly, her fingers curled tightly around the strap