Chapter 41

The car rolled to a stop outside the school gates. Dad turned to me, his brow furrowed with that familiar protective concern."If you don't feel good, just call me. I'll come to pick you up," he said, his hand briefly resting on my head.I smiled, appreciating his care. "Yes, I'm fine," I reassured him, reaching for the door handle."Don't go out alone or anywhere. Just call me or Henry. If we're not available, call the office, but—"I cut him off, anticipating his words. "Do not go out alone. Keep your phone with you."He chuckled softly. "It's just an ongoing case, baby. We can't take any risks.""I know, Dad," I replied with a smile, stepping out of the car.I waved him goodbye as he drove off, the familiar sound of the engine fading into the distance. Taking a deep breath, I stood at the school's entrance, gathering my thoughts. Before I could take a step, a car horn blared, and I turned to see a red car approaching. Cat women print on the bonnet and red car I recognized instantly

Last Updated : 2025-05-28

Chapter 42

Alina POV"I don’t think this is a good idea..." I said softly, gently stopping Monica’s hand as she tried to brush blush across my cheeks.She let out a sigh. "Alina, it’s your first prom. You should go and have fun—just like other girls your age.""But Uncle didn’t give me permission," I murmured, looking down.Monica rolled her eyes. "So what? Your dad said it’s up to you."Before I could reply, Freya jumped in with a grin. “He’s not even here. We’ll go, have fun, and be back before he even notices.”"Just relax, Alina," Monica added, now applying a soft lipstick to my lips. "You’re a teenager. You deserve to enjoy this part of your life."I glanced at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a maroon bodycon dress, and for the first time ever, I had makeup on. I looked different. More grown-up. Maybe even pretty. Part of me was still nervous, but another part was curious. I wanted to know what prom felt like.Uncle had said no when I asked to go. He didn’t even think about it—just said

Last Updated : 2025-07-20

Chapter 43

The room was dim, glowing softly from the warm light of a few wall lamps. The air smelled faintly of cigarette smoke that curled slowly toward the ceiling. Robert sat slouched in the corner booth, the worn leather creaking under him. One hand rested on the table, his fingers tapping slowly beside a half-empty glass of scotch. The other hand held a cigarette, burning slowly between his fingers.He took a long drag, his eyes half-closed, watching the smoke drift in the light. Then he quietly blew it out and pulled out his phone. Without saying hello, he asked one simple question:“Is it done?”There was a short pause.“Yes,” said the voice on the other end.Robert’s lips curved into a small, sharp smile—hard to read.“Good,” he said quietly. “Make sure. I can’t afford any mistakes.”He hung up and dropped the phone on the table with a soft click.Across from him, Zehn had been watching silently, spinning his drink slowly in his hand. He raised an eyebrow, his voice low and teasing.“Wha

Last Updated : 2025-07-22

Chapter 44

Alina’s POV Late night. Cold air. A silence that felt too heavy to breathe.I lay still, wrapped in a thin sheet, my body aching in places I didn’t want to think about. Everything felt slow—like my soul was moving half a step behind my body. I wasn’t crying anymore, just staring blankly at the ceiling, not knowing what to feel. Not knowing what to believe something inside me felt hollow, like something had been taken that I would never take back. And deep down, I knew what it was. I didn't want to say the word—not even in my head. But it echoed there anywhere. I was raped. It didn't matter that I froze. That I couldn't speak. That I didn't fight. He still did it, and now I had to still live in this body that didn't feel like mine anymore.I hated myself—for being week, for not stopping it, for surviving.I scratched at my skin softly, over the same spot again and again. Not to hurt. Just to feel something that wasn't this. Just to stay grounded. But even that felt wrong.Tears had sto

Last Updated : 2025-08-02

Chapter 45

Harrison POVI couldn’t breathe in that room.The air felt thick, like it was pressing down on my chest, squeezing out whatever calm I had left. So I stepped out onto the balcony, lit a cigarette with shaking fingers, and sat down hard on the cold concrete. The night air was supposed to clear my head. It didn’t.I’d been out there for hours—since midnight, maybe earlier. Time didn’t move right anymore.Her cry still echoed in my head.That hollow, breaking sound—the kind that comes from something being ripped open inside—sliced through the night and into my skull. And her eyes… Jesus. That look she gave me. Hurt. Accusing. Daring me to fix it when I didn’t even know how.I wanted to go back inside. Sit beside her. Say anything that might slow the storm I’d helped unleash.But I couldn’t move.I was drowning too.Her grief was everywhere. In the silence between us. In the creak of the floorboards. In my lungs with every breath I dragged in like smoke and let out like regret. And no mat

Last Updated : 2025-08-04

Chapter 46

We reached the hotel. I didn’t even wait for Arc to stop the car—I jumped out, sprinting toward the reception desk.“How may I help you, sir?” the lady behind the counter asked, her voice calm and professional.“I’m Harrison Hayes,” I said, my breathing coming fast, heart pounding in my chest.“Yes, Mr. Hayes,” she replied quickly, signaling to another staff member. “The security room is this way.”“Where’s the school prom party happening?” I asked, eyes darting around the lobby.“It’s in the main hall,” the security guard answered. “Go straight, then take a left.” He paused, studying my expression. “You want to check the cameras to find her, don’t you?”“Arc will go with you,” I said, glancing back just as Arc caught up, slightly out of breath.“Stay connected with me on call,” I told him, already turning toward the hallway. My pulse hammered in my ears as I rushed toward the hall, praying she was safe—somewhere inside, surrounded by her friends.The strong smell of alcohol and smoke

Last Updated : 2025-10-27