omen intensifying, a relentless, gnawing agony. I screamed, a guttural sound torn f

ying to hold on to something that was already slipping away. "Adrien!"

s, the rush of blood, the ragged gasps for air. He was my world, my protector, the only o

r. My family, my home, my peace of mind – it had all been shattered years ago. He was t

was a lie. A cruel, vicious lie. But it was his truth. "We need separate li

He was truly gone. The emptiness that settled in the penthouse was heavier t

oice raw, broken. "You l

f New York aristocracy. I was vibrant, full of life, a socialite who moved with grace and laughter.

a million irreparable pieces. I was left with a shell of a life, haunted by shadows and the constant, suffocating grip of PTSD. Every lo

ition, but he saw something in me, something worth saving. He pulled me from the wreckage, draped me in his protection, and

a desperate attempt to keep my world from collapsing again. I saw threats everywhere, in every glance, every whisper. Adrien understood

even gave up a major business deal, one that would have cemented his empire, just to stay by my side during a particularly br

h in my mouth. He was gone. And I was left, bleedin

ce, his cold eyes, his cruel words, piercing through the haze. Each time I woke, the pain was worse, a gaping w

s. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. I dragged myself to the bathroom, the mirror reflecting a br

, just as I had hidden the emotional scars for so long. Then, my b

annoyingly serene. Her eyes fluttered open as I entered, a flicker of fear, t

nvelope from my bag, thick with hundred-dollar bills. I tossed it onto the pristine wh

id gesture. She reached for a notepad and pen on her bedside table, her hand trembling

quiet walls. "Don't insult my intelligence," I said, my

shared love for nature. He'd sworn he'd never give another to anyone. I threw it onto the bed, letting it clatter against the envelope. "He hel

She shook her head violently, her lips tremb

nothing but a cheap little whore, a manipulative bitch who preys on vulnerable men. And I'

ed frantically on the notepad. Please, Eleanor, don't hurt me.

the heavy glass vase of flowers on her nightstand. With a primal scream, I brought it down, smashing it against the metal bedframe.

rself from the flying debris. I leaned close, my breath hot on her cheek. "One mo

e sure she understands," I said, my voice flat, devoid of emotion. "A little reminder, eve

e bodyguards behind me. The sounds were fading as I stepped into the elevato

k onto the plush sofa, the fabric cool against my skin, but nothing could thaw

her voice clipped and strained. "Mrs. Barker," she said, "I have

desperately, had begged Adrien for one. He'd always dismissed it, saying we weren't ready, that I wasn't stable en

ment. Adrien stood there, his face a mask of pure, unadulterated fury, his eyes blazing with a

this!" he roared, his voice a thunderclap. "You killed my child!" He shook me, violent

ly streaming down my face.

k tie from the closet, binding my wrists to the headboard, then my ankles to the footboard. I struggled, twisting and turning, but his grip w

rs ago, washed over me. I screamed, a raw, primal sound, my body

at, his words dripping with venom. "You think you can just waltz in, destroy everything I hold dear, and get away with it? You think y

e, colder than any physical pain. He had never spoken to me like this, never looked at me with suc

, replaced by the same chilling fury. He grabbed my hair, pulling my head back, exposing my throat. "You were always too

eek. My head snapped to the side, my ears ringing. My jaw ached, a deep, throbbing pain. "And n

injustice. "You remember that night, don't you?" he hissed, his face contorted. "The night they broke into your perfect little world? The night