Lahat ng Kabanata ng Under The Mask Of My Enemy: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

Chapter 32: Thorne's POVWith Oliver's help, I slipped away from the villa without being noticed. Each step felt as though I was treading on thin ice, but it was something that had to be done. Garrett mustn't find out about this meeting. If he did, then it would all be over. My chest was heavy with tension, but I moved ahead, following Oliver's lead as we went along the hidden paths leading to the meeting point.After a number of turns and bends, we reached a nondescript building at the outskirts of the city, standing almost concealed by the growth of a copse of trees. It looked so nondescript, but I know by now not to look at appearances. Oliver stood at the door, impassive, as he waited for me to precede him into the room. "Remember, Thorne, you have only half an hour. Don't push your luck.".I nodded in acknowledgment, offering a tight smile before pushing open the door and stepping inside. The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with scents of wood and leather. It was a place of pri

Chapter 34: "A Silent Answer"(Thorne's POV)The villa's walls seemed closer than ever, suffocating me with their quiet elegance. Over time, Garrett's control had grown more suffocating with every glance, every unspoken rule tightening the invisible leash he kept around me. Yet, I couldn't blame him altogether. Garrett had his reasons, which came in layers of pain and fear buried beneath his overbearing need to keep me safe. But understanding didn't make it any easier to breathe.It was Oliver who saved me from utter isolation, his silent companionship soothing to my wandering spirit. It was through him that I still held any link to the world beyond, a link delicately guarded, yet rare and one that ultimately managed to help keep my sanity. Of all people, Gavin had evolved into an unexpected ally. Resources, connections, quick thinking-he had everything and was an asset to me, though his motivations could be trusted only half of the time.My heart had skipped a beat, in a way it hadn'

Chapter 36: Garrett’s POVI paced the marble floor of my suite in the villa, my fists clenched and jaw tight. My phone buzzed again, another update from the men I’d sent to follow Thorne.He was in Italy.He had left New York without even a word, disappeared from the villa as stealthily as a shadow. It was worse than that. Oliver had aided him in his disappearance. I wanted to break something; anything to clear the pent-up frustration churning in my gut. But I could not. Not yet. Clarity was something I needed."Oliver," I grunted into the phone, speaking in a very low voice that bordered on menacing.There was a silence before Oliver's response came over. "Yes, sir."Care to explain why Thorne left New York under your watch? And why you disobeyed my orders?"Oliver sighed. I could hear the weariness in his tone, but it did nothing to soothe my anger. "I didn't disobey you, Garrett. I trusted Thorne's intentions.""That wasn't your decision to make!" My voice rose, sharp and cutting.

Chapter 38: A Surprise for GarrettThorne's POVMorning light filtered through the wide windows of Garrett's family villa in New York and spread a warm glow over the richly decorated room. It was eerily serene compared to the tension that had plagued me for days. I stood by the kitchen counter, my sleeves rolled up, chopping vegetables under the watchful eye of Garrett's mother. Her elegance was understated yet commanding, much like her son."You're holding the knife wrong, dear," she said softly, easing in to fix my grip."Ah, sorry," I mumbled under my breath, coloring slightly. The thing was, cooking wasn't really my thing, but for tonight, I wanted to be spotless-perfect. Tonight wasn't any meal; this was Garrett's birthday meal.She smiled warmly. “It’s fine. You’ll get the hang of it. Garrett always used to hold the knife wrong too. Once, he insisted he’d make breakfast for me when he was six, and he ended up nearly burning down the kitchen.”I chuckled, imagining a mischievous,

Chapter 40: Thorne's POVThe silence in the room was deafening as Garrett stood frozen, his eyes glued to the woman before him. His face was unreadable-a mask of shock and vulnerability that had my chest constricting. He wasn't saying a word, but I did notice how his eyes didn't leave hers. It was as if he wanted to absorb every detail of her face, like he needed reassurance this wasn't some cruel joke.I did not know what to do, so I sat with him and allowed him to process. It wasn't until his mother, in her soft, quivering voice, called his name that brought a flash of recognition to his eyes. It wasn't instantaneous; as the minutes ticked by, I could see him start piecing things together.I also was quick with feelings of relief and my heart ached as he stepped forward and into the waiting arms finally. It had been a very telling moment for Garrett-it was a juncture that he needed, hoped for, and prayed would go at least this good.I stood to the side, silent, as his mother held hi