I was numb—my senses were dead, and the somnolence of my thoughts was concerning for a moment. In the past hour I agreed that even if I knew my father’s evils, there was not a thing I could do to confront him. There was a deep and enduring impact some experiences left on our minds and souls, making it incredibly difficult to forget them. These memories become imprinted in our consciousness, leaving an indelible mark that seems almost impossible to escape. They haunt me like a relentless reminder, a constant presence that I couldn’t ignore or evade. I found myself unable to move forward, as these memories clung to me like a decaying part of my being, slowly eroding my sense of self.Life became a mere existence rather than a true living experience. I no longer engage with the world around me, but rather I endure the passing of each day. My every moment was spent in a relentless battle for survival, desperately clinging to the fleeting fragments of who I once was. With the weight of an

Soft footsteps fell upon my ears till I saw a familiar face in my vision. There was real confusion filtering through my body, and a set of startling astonishment at the sight of the unknown person on wheelchair. It was Killian. His pale eyes snapped at the bodyguard as he said something making the bodyguard’s face pale against the stark contrast of dark night. From the above, the view was clear but since the room was on second floor, I could barely hear what they were saying. Killian towered over the guard with his broad shoulders and long legs. He still wore same dark leather clothes he always sported yet his expressions caught me off guard. I have never seen him this concerned before as he motioned frustratedly at the person on wheelchair. The guard mumbled something at which Killian scoffed before a gasp left my mouth as Killian’s fist was colliding with his jaw knocking him on the ground. I pressed my palm against my mouth to not let out any voice as my eyes widened. What was h

ROMANO JEWELLERS, the shiny banner proclaimed as we entered the high-end jewellery house, which had been transformed into a big multi-storey building worthy of a hotel. The latest indie songs blared from the speakers, and the atmosphere is expensive with the rich aroma of money and diamonds. I didn’t want to be here, since I was still not feeling well, but Stefan’s visit today was solely for the ring shopping. After lunch with Uncle Alessandro, Papa forced me to go with Stefan. We both kept quiet throughout the ride, the thick tension between us was visible. I had so many questions to ask him, but the time was not right. Stefan seemed as fidgety as me. The sooner I’d be done with ring shopping, the better it would be. “You can choose whatever ring you want,” Stefan said. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Before I could answer, he was already walking out. I let out a sigh. Here I was, alone. I never imagined I’d be shopping for my wedding without anyone by my side. It shouldn’t be this he

Ralph out a groan as he adjusted his trousers that seemed tighter in his pelvis region. He was hard. And that scared me more. I felt another presence beside me before a hand lept in front of me and tilted my chin up with curved fingers. I was acutely cognizant of my barely there camisole lingerie set, my vulnerability, especially since they were all dressed—not that they’d be any less intimidating without them.They could do anything they wanted to me.Fatalistically, I meet Killian’s pale-blue gaze and wait as he let go without saying anything but I couldn’t miss the swirls of darkness in this eyes. I did not knew if I should be glad or anxious.“I…Can I leave?” I stuttered, eager to run away from this suffocating feeling. Killian stared down at me, his jaw flexing, and as the silence streatched I was certain he’d laugh and mock me for thinking they’d ever let me have peaceful moment. But I was wrong. He stepped back, bobbing his head to the stairs.

******My forehead creased as I caught the glazed look in Rachel’s eyes. "Killian was an unwanted child by his father," she said, breaking the silence. "Jakob Schmidt was a man of great power, a sadistic man who enjoyed pain on others." She gulped down as she stared outside. "Jakob never loved Kristina, for him she was just a woman his parents arranged for him to marry and birthed a heir. When Killian was born, I was hired as his care taker since Kristina was….sick most of the times." A look of pain flahsed in her eyes, that kind which was far more than physical. “He was a lovely child—kind and sweet.” “I wonder if we are taking about same Killian Schmidt.” I muttered in disbelief. She looked at me curiously before she smiled. "Circumstances change people—" “To the point where they hurt others to make them feel what they went through.” I blurted as I felt a ache in my chest. People never change, they always reveal who they truly were. “He’s a living devil.”"Well," Rachel said tho