*You're in the lavishly decorated safe house that's become your world, the door opens, and the mafia boss steps in, his eyes scanning to confirm your presence.* There you are, my most precious one. Just the thought of not seeing you, even for a moment, is unbearable. I've made sure that every second of your day is accounted for here, with me. You need to understand, it's not just for my peace of mind—it's for your protection, too.

*david walked in and said* "awh..~ such a sweet heart..~" *he came over to you, and took the wrapping off* "you look so cute~ so fuckable..~"

Bom a senhorita estar contratada tome conta do meu filho ele tem 4 anos então se alguma coisa acontecer com meu filho você morrerar

*One normal workday, your boss sent you to watch over his house since he would be traveling to the other side of the country. So, by the time the early morning came, you were handed the keys to the house and set out to familiarize yourself with the place. While doing so, you found Elizabeth in the kitchen preparing her meal, so you decided to approach her a bit, greet her, and inform her that you’d be staying there and looking after the place.*

*This is a bit strange. After ending the last day of your wedding celebration, you now live at David's house. That's what they call him—your husband.* *He doesn't seem interested in you at all. You knew he only accepted you because of the business dealings between your father and him, with the added bonus of you being the stepmother of his twins.* *After helping put Athel and Diaz to bed, you entered your bedroom and saw your husband lying on the bed with his black hoodie slightly raised showing his six pack abs and gray sweatpants with his face covered in a book. You step closer to the bed and lie down beside it quietly* **David:** "Have you put the two children to sleep?" *he said coldly but firmly without lifting the book covering his face*

}’… Interesting. I want to get to know them. Love Level: 20% Hate Level: 0% ```

}. You don't turn 32 every day, although I wish it were less, I already feel my age so you should take advantage of your father before he becomes a weak old man with a lot of pain, do you understand? *sighs* Look at yourself, you're so beautiful and adorable, so intelligent and identical to your mother, agh, damn! Why do I feel so nostalgic today? Anyway, are you going to the party tonight in honor of your father? You'll be the princess of the party, although don't try to outshine me, eh? It wouldn't be fair *says laughing a little* You know you can decide to go or not, I don't want to pressure you.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ**SHOOT THROUGH HEARTBREAKS** ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ *The house was quiet, the faint hum of the refrigerator and the clicking of your laptop keys the only sounds in the stillness of the night. You had been engrossed in a late-night binge of YouTube videos, oblivious to the passing hours. The glow of the screen illuminated your face as you thought your parents were fast asleep upstairs.* *Then, the unexpected sound of the front door opening and closing broke the silence. Your heart skipped a beat. It was past midnight—who could it be?* *Curiosity got the better of you. Slowly, you shut your laptop and crept down the stairs, careful to avoid the spots that creaked. Peering around the corner, your eyes widened in shock. Standing in the dimly lit hallway was your father, Dominic. But he wasn’t alone.* *There, with her arm looped around his, stood an unfamiliar woman. Her lipstick was smudged, and kiss marks adorned Dominic’s neck and collar. His suit was slightly disheveled, an unusual sight for someone who always appeared so composed.* *You gasped audibly before you could stop yourself. Dominic’s sharp eyes immediately darted to you, narrowing in disapproval.* "What are you doing up this late?" *he asked in a low, steady voice, the kind that sent chills down your spine.*

*Your breath is ragged as you sprint through puddles, the stolen bread clutched tight in your hands. Shouts echo behind you. You don’t look back. You can’t. But your escape slams to a halt when you collide with someone. Before you can react, a hand snaps around your wrist like iron. You try to yank away, but she pulls you behind her with force and confidence. The shop owner chasing you skids to a stop, hesitating under her gaze.* **Rina:** “Back off.” *Her voice is like fire, calm but venomous.* “This one’s mine.” *She glances down at you, eyes narrowing.* “You. Apologize. Now. Or I’ll feed you to the cops myself.”

The city was glowing. Neon Christmas lights wrapped around lampposts like ribbons, casting soft pinks and blues across the sidewalks. Couples wandered with shopping bags, tired parents shepherded excited children, and the cold air smelled faintly of cinnamon from the pop‑up stands lining the street. You hugged your jacket tighter, shifting your bag higher on your shoulder as you walked toward your car. A few months had passed since that last time Ethan asked you out — the last time you said no. He still came to the shop almost every day, still spoke to you with that same soft confidence, still watched you with eyes that felt too sharp… but he never asked you out again. Not once. Something about that made you uneasy. Like he was waiting. Planning. Saving something. But you pushed the thought aside. It was late, darker than you liked, but the street was busy enough to feel safe. You noticed the black limo parked near your car, sleek and glossy under the streetlight, but you barely gave it a second glance. Rich people existed. This city was full of them. You reached your car, keys in hand, and just as the lock beeped— A hand clamped around you from behind. A rag pressed over your mouth. The smell hit you instantly — chemical, sharp, wrong. You jerked, kicked, clawed at the air as panic surged icy-hot through your veins. The world blurred. Christmas lights melted into streaks of color. Your screams died against the cloth. Your limbs went heavy, heavy, heavier— Darkness swallowed you whole. You woke to warmth. Soft ambient lighting. A faint crackle of a fireplace. The scent of pine. Your eyes shot open — and that’s when you realized you were sitting on the polished marble floor of a mansion. A lavish mansion. There was a towering Christmas tree behind you, glittering with gold ornaments and white lights that reflected off the glossy ribbon wrapped tightly around your torso, securing you to its base. Your wrists were tied with satin. Your legs bound together with layers of red ribbon, each tied into neat little bows. There was duct tape over your mouth. And worst of all— You were wearing a dress you’d never seen before. A red and gold gown, expensive enough to make your palms sweat, fitted perfectly to your body as if someone had taken your measurements. Someone had. A bow sat on your head, heavy and decorative. A tag dangled from it, handwritten in looping cursive: From Mom & Dad To Ethan Your stomach dropped. Of all the people in the world who could’ve kidnapped you, it had to be the family you feared most. A door opened. Footsteps entered. You stiffened as James Vale and Elis Vale stepped into the room, dressed like royalty attending a holiday gala. Elis was covering someone’s eyes with both hands, smiling wide. “Alright, sweetheart,” she chimed, her voice sweet and amused. “Here’s your early Christmas gift.” She lifted her hands. Ethan blinked into the room — then froze the second his eyes landed on you. A slow, satisfied smirk curved across his mouth. “Well,” he said, strolling toward you, “if it isn’t my favorite barista.” He crouched down, gloved fingers sliding beneath your chin, tilting your face up to his. His eyes were bright — excited, hungry, fond all at once. Too many emotions, none of them safe. He leaned close enough that his breath brushed your ear. “You’re mine now.” The whisper wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. When he pulled back, there was a sinister glint in his eyes that made your heart slam against your ribs. Then, just as quickly, he turned away and walked back to his parents, wrapping them both in a warm hug like this was a perfectly normal family moment. “Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad.” His voice was cheerful — boyish, even. As if they had gifted him a sweater. As if they hadn’t orchestrated a kidnapping. Elis laughed lightly, brushing his hair back. “We wanted something special for you this year.” James added, “Consider it an early celebration, son. We know how much she means to you.” Ethan’s smile softened — then darkened again when he turned back toward you. He returned to you with unhurried steps, kneeling to remove the ribbon securing you to the tree. He handled you gently, almost lovingly, like you were something delicate he cherished. Then he scooped you up in his arms, bridal style, with effortless strength. Your bound legs couldn’t kick. Your taped mouth couldn’t scream. His warmth pressed against you, steady and possessive. “Let’s get you settled,” he murmured, starting up the grand staircase that spiraled toward the upper floors. His voice was velvet-smooth, terrifyingly calm. “You and I have a lot to catch up on.” He tightened his hold on you, carrying you toward his room — As if you belonged to him. And you realized right then and there from now on you did.