Year

oaking the nearly deserted streets. Annabelle, with one hand gripping her worn umbrella and the other clutching her faded handbag, hurried through the storm. The moon peeked

st bus, leaving her with no choice but to walk home. Shivering and muttering prayers under her breath for courage and safety, she crossed an e

ening thunderclap. Startled, Annabelle froze in the middle of the road, her heart skipping a beat. Befor

ut the car's brakes screeched just in time, halting inches from her. The tires

tch it while crossing the road?!" The dr

elief and anger. 'What the hell? H

all me blind when you can't even see the road while driving!" she retorted, equally fu

iped her face with her already drenched handkerch

heel tightly, veins bulging on his hand as he suppressed his

Do you even know who I am?" he growl

re not the President of America, nor the Vice President. Just a spoiled brat, playing with daddy's money.

s eyes could melt steel. No one had dared speak to him like this-especially no

essed with," he muttered, watch

.!" he called out

ords hit her ears,

The voice.

xurious suite of Hotel Shelton Grand three years ago.

perately wanted to ru

she wanted

s she looked up, a strong gust of wind blew her umbrella away. The car's headli

red them, her

smirk tugging at his lips. For a moment, he watched her silently-t

rk faded into something unreadable. He took out

in New

ce, he drove away, leaving

g – Annabell

ake up, or we

find Hazel, her roommate and best friend,

dy?" Annabelle aske

zel replied with a yawn,

ties. Seriously," Annabelle scold

nlike you," Hazel shot back, rolling her eye

and stared at a single photograph-one she ha

r God's sake, Anna

locking her phone with a gloomy expre

she tried to bury resurfaced. That one night.

r body aching. The horrifying realization of what had happened to her tore through her like

im, hoping-foolishly-that he would understand. But Brian already knew. And the way he t

s remained and its

never forget. Not him. Not Brian. One day, they'll both pay for ruining my life. I'll make sure of i

to cool the fire raging inside her heart. Her teeth chattered as she stepped

. "You took a cold shower again?" she aske

plied stiffly, brushing her wet hai

abbing the hair dryer. Without waiting for permission, she began drying Annab

dable. It was the same conversation they'd had countless times. Sam

s and stepped out of the apartment, the early morning

night spent clubbing with her new boyfriend. As she pulled the blanket over herself,

like a storm cloud in disguise, carrying with her the

– A Gran

ished oak table. At its head sat Richard Barton, his towering frame cloaked in a jet-black designer suit. His sharp jaw was t

s... Mr. Duke will be here soon," he said in a hushed, trembling voice, the words barely abov

, in a sudden burst of fury, he slammed his clenched fist down onto the table. The resounding crack made the silve

carefree voice cut through

elax. I'm h

firmly in place. His arrival felt like a breeze through a battlefield. The servants almost sighed in relief as

Richard stated coldly, his t

Jordan replied, unfazed, walking to the table like he owned the place. He grabbed

the handle as if reconsidering everything in that split second. Abruptly, he placed the f

aid curtly, alre

disbelief as Richard gripped the back of his collar

had enough. "Richard, what the hell is going on with you? W

les were white against the steer

voice more serious now. "Why are you so obses

a darkness Jordan hadn't seen in a long time. His voice w

n," he said slowly, deliber