MasukREVA I sat next to Levi in the specialist's office, trying to calm my racing heart while we waited for the procedure to start. Even though I had repeatedly assured myself that everything would be fine, nerves tightened within me. Levi noticed and kept his hand tightly wrapped around mine the entire time, his thumb brushing gently against my skin in silent reassurance. It had been a month since the incident with Danielle and Hunter, and they would both be sentenced in six months for Danielle and Levi's case, with Hunter being sentenced again later for other crimes committed with police assistance. His father would be sentenced shortly after Levi's case. Alan would be sentenced a month later. Hunter's role in his family's downfall felt surreal. Levi and I learned that a mountain of evidence of Reed's wrongdoings had been gathered, including a murder he had concealed. Hunter had single-handedly destroyed his family and his own life while trying to destroy mine. The doctor cam
HUNTERSitting on the edge of the narrow bed in my cell, I stared at the wall, my mind spinning so fast I couldn't keep track of time. Three or four days had passed. I honestly didn't know anymore because no one told me anything.Nobody had come to see me, not even my mother or lawyer, and I was beginning to lose my mind. Something was also happening at the station. All of the familiar faces had been replaced by new ones, and none of them showed me the slightest respect. Instead, they stared at me as if they knew something I didn't.Even the captain was unreachable, and I had never before demanded to speak with an officer only to be told to shut up. The first time it happened, I thought I'd heard wrong. But every time I reminded them of who I was or dropped my name, expecting the usual shift in treatment, they laughed.That was another thing that bothered me the most, along with the fact that I hadn't been allowed to make a single phone call. Pushing myself off the bed, I resumed pac
REVALevi and I arrived at my parents' house, and home always felt like a haven, no matter how old I got or how safe I felt anywhere else. There was just something about being at home that made everything feel right.Levi walked to my side after parking, carrying not only the bottle of whiskey we had brought but also the bouquets he had stopped to purchase for my mother and two aunts.The gesture alone made my heart flutter with affection; I appreciated how included my aunts were. He was the sweetest.The front door opened before we even knocked properly. And my mother appeared first with excitement written all over her face, followed by my father and one of my cousins peeking out from behind them.The house erupted in noise and movement as soon as we stepped inside. Hugs were exchanged first, followed by greetings layered on top of one another as everyone tried to speak at once.But Levi handled the chaos surprisingly well. I watched him greet my family with his calm confidence, hand
HUNTERI paced the length of the cell for what seemed like the hundredth time, restless energy coursing through me despite the pain in my ribs with each turn. They still hadn't healed properly, and every breath reminded me of Price's fists slamming into me and the humiliation of being laid out like some scum.The memory played over and over in my head until I couldn't tell the difference between rage and thought, and I clenched my jaw and continued to pace.My mother should have arrived more than an hour ago. She had promised to come as soon as she learned what had happened, and knowing her, she was already making calls to get me out.My lawyer said it was unlikely that I would be released because I got into more trouble after being released. But I wasn't concerned because I knew my mother would get me out. But the delay still irritated me, and sitting in this cell made every second feel longer.I had made it clear to my lawyer that I intended to sue Price for attacking me. I didn't c
REVA The next morning was easier, even though the memories of everything lingered beneath the surface. I was already at work and had just spoken with Levi, who needed to meet with his lawyer to proceed with the charges he was filing against Hunter.Following that, he was scheduled to meet with the police commissioner to discuss the officers who had been working with Hunter.We were also informed, prior to leaving the penthouse, that Hunter had been arrested. Hearing that gave me a sense of relief because it was clear that Hunter had no remorse for his actions. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to Danielle and attempted to blackmail her.Levi made it clear that he wanted Danielle committed.I also finally told Levi about Reed Starling's arrival at the hospital. Even now, the memory irritated me. Levi, like my mother, couldn't believe the audacity. It was unbelievable that after all these years, after everything, he thought he could just show up and expect me to gladly hear him out.Now
REVA I sat in the car and watched the events unfold through the windshield. Danielle's desperation looked unreal as I watched her fall to her knees and crawl through the dirt toward Levi, her hands clutching at his, her body trembling as she begged and cried.Even from a distance, I could see the desperation in her movements and how she clung to him as if he were the only possibility for her sanity. But still, with all that, I felt nothing for her. Just a slow, burning anger that settled deep within my chest.It wasn't just her that made me angry. But I was angry at myself, too, for allowing her into my space and for ignoring every instinct that told me something wasn't right with her. I had promised myself after Hunter and Nikolai that I'd never let anyone close enough to betray me again. Yet there I was, watching the consequences of that failure play out in the dirt just a few feet away. The sharp sound of a siren cut through my thoughts, pulling me back into the present. And I b
REVA“Mrs. Belkov?" Dr. Jacobs' voice echoed over the phone. “Are you still there?" That brought me out of the confused haze. “Yes," I quickly replied, forcing air back into my lungs. “I am here."I opened my mouth, prepared to say I had no idea why Nikolai had asked for me. I wanted to tell him th
THIRD-PARTY VIEWPOINTNikolai stumbled out of the penthouse and froze, realizing his car was not in the driveway. Only Hunter's car was present, so he rushed back inside, tearing through the place until he grabbed Hunter's keys from the counter. He didn't slow down and drove away in Hunter's car li
NIKOLAIThe music cut out. “Security department, this is Mark speaking," a guy's voice came through from the other side of the line, and I straightened instinctively. “My name is Hunter Starling. I was transferred from reception to discuss security footage from Christmas Eve."“Yes, Mr. Starling,"
NIKOLAIHunter’s fingers laced with mine as we walked into the law offices. It was still holiday season, and everyone was basking in the magic it brought, except my fiancé and me. While everyone was sipping hot cocoa in pajamas on their balconies, we were hard at work to ensure that the coming sea







