MasukWhat do you think of this chapter? Should Luci be scolded or otherwise? ✿✿
Gunfire tore through the silence of the villa before the guards inside even realized they were under attack.The first shots came so suddenly that the air itself seemed to rip apart. Windows rattled violently and the quiet luxury of the villa was shattered in seconds. The guards barely had time to register danger before death met them head-on.The first man fell with a bullet through his throat, his body hitting the marble floor before his scream could fully form. The second barely had time to turn when his head snapped back violently, blood splattering the wall behind him. Panic erupted instantly but it was too late.Jairo and his men moved like a storm unleashed. There was no warning, no negotiation, no pause to assess. His finger kept squeezing the trigger, over and over, his eyes dark and empty of mercy. Every guard he saw went down. Some reached for their guns. Some froze. Some tried to run.None succeeded.Jairo didn’t hear the noise anymore. The screams, the gunfire, the chaos
“We found this!” the guard’s voice cracked sharply through the tensed silence and Salvatore spun around.Luci’s heart slammed against her ribcage when she heard the voice. Even though she was relieved that Salvatore’s attention shifted away from her, fear still clawed at her stomach. The guard was holding up a small, worn notebook and a pen. Across the room, Eva’s body was taut, trembling so violently it was almost audible. Luci watched her and saw that she was shaking already. Salvatore collected the notebook and checked the content, immediately he saw the scribbled words written in it, his whole aura changed.“Where did you get this?” he demanded and Eva shivered. Luci pressed her lips together, trying to steady the panic clawing up her throat. How long had she been trapped in this nightmare? How long had she suffered here alone?“Answer me!” Salvatore barked and Luci saw Eva took two steps back in fear. “I gave it to her.” she said suddenly, her voice cutting through the tension
“Thank you.” Luci said quietly, collecting the textbooks and notebook Kaicus handed her.“Don knows about it. I had to tell him if I wanted to keep my head,” he muttered in a cautious tone.“I understand,” she replied, forcing a small smile. She closed the door and let her back rest against it. The weight of the books pressed into her hands, grounding her but her chest felt tight. She exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself and looked down at the pile she carried.It was late. Night had settled heavily over the villa. She wondered if Eva had been waiting for her note, wondering if she had received it safely or not. She hurried to her bed and began writing, her hands trembling slightly. She wasn't the type that trusted easily but something about Eva gave her hope. The lady had risked sending a note to her through a sanitary pad that spoke of courage and perhaps, loneliness. > Hi, Eva.I’m Luci, currently being locked in a room. Is there a way you can help me? I don’t know if you are
“You used to love strawberries. Do you want more?” Vicky asked softly, holding out the bowl toward Kara. She glanced at the fruit and shook her head politely. “No, thank you.”Saying this, she didn’t miss the flicker of disappointment that crossed the woman’s face and it made her chest tighten. “I will eat if we all eat together,” she added eventually, forcing a small smile and picked one strawberry. She gently placed it into Edward’s mouth and laughter filled the room instantly. Anton chuckled and fed Kara one in return, while Edward reached over and put one into his mother’s mouth. Soon, everyone was smiling and the tension eased just a little.Kara chewed slowly, her eyes drifting to her wristwatch. She wondered where Jairo was and how long it would take him to return.“Dear,” Vicky called again.She turned toward her.“Can you please stay for tonight? You can sleep in my room. We will talk all night, just like old times. What do you say?” she asked with hopeful eyes and Kara gl
“I failed to recognize you,” Jairo said calmly, his eyes never leaving Annabelle’s face.The words sounded neutral but she heard the restraint and control that sat underneath them. She let out a quiet scoff and finally took the seat across from him.“That just means I did a good job hiding,” she replied with a careless shrug. “No offense taken.”Her lips curved into a smirk but there was no warmth behind it, and Jairo noticed that immediately. He studied her with quiet intensity before shifting his gaze briefly to the three men seated around the table, especially the one who had just asked the question. If they truly had enough proof to destroy his father, they wouldn’t need him sitting here. That alone told him everything.“I want to speak to her alone,” he demanded evenly.The men exchanged reluctant looks. Annabelle gave a small nod, dismissing them without ceremony. After a tense pause, they stood and left the room.Silence settled between them as the door was shut. Annabelle adju
Jairo stepped out first and opened the car door for Kara. He didn’t look at her nor say a word. He only waited, making sure her feet touched the pavement safely before straightening up. That small distance between them hurt more than any raised voice ever could.She swallowed hard, fighting the sting behind her eyes. She already felt fragile and his silence made the guilt sit heavier in her chest.Her gaze lifted to the house in front of them.A wide balcony stretched across the front, flowers spilling over railings and pots, colors soft and alive. It reminded her of Charlotte's and Desmond's house in the countryside.They walked into the compound but before they could reach the porch, the door suddenly opened and a young man stepped on him. Who Kara immediately guessed must be Edward.He had been restless all day, his nerves stretching thin. When Jairo told him about his sister and his plan of bringing her to reunite with her family, it had lodged in his chest like a fragile promise







