Daniel sneered. “What made you think I’d listen to that? Silvana was mine, Bryden.”Bryden’s anger boiled over. “Stop spewing your delusions, Daniel.”Before either of them knew it, they were trading blows, the quiet of the warehouse shattered by the sounds of their fight. Bryden landed a punch to Daniel’s stomach, making him double over in pain. Daniel retaliated with a wild swing, catching Bryden on the cheek.The fight was chaotic, each man driven by a mixture of rage and desperation. Bryden’s mind raced with thoughts of the mess Daniel had made and the danger it posed to his family. He could not let this weak link bring everything crashing down.Bryden’s training and discipline gave him the upper hand. He dodged a clumsy punch from Daniel and retaliated with a swift kick to the ribs. Daniel stumbled back, gasping for breath. Bryden pressed his advantage, landing a series of blows that left Daniel reeling.“Is this what you wanted, Daniel?” Bryden spat, his voice dripping with cont

The tension at Zain Romanov’s mansion was palpable. Zain Romanov’s stern face was a mask of controlled fury as he received word that Bryden had returned to the house. He stormed down the hallway, his footsteps echoing ominously against the marble floors. Bursting into Bryden’s room, he found his son lying on the bed, a fresh bandage on his arm and a sullen expression on his face.“What were you thinking?” Zain bellowed, his voice filled with barely restrained anger. “Do you have any idea the risk you’ve put this family in?”Bryden winced, both from the pain in his arm and the harshness of his father’s tone. “I did what I had to,” he muttered, his eyes avoiding Zain’s piercing gaze.“What you had to do?” Zain repeated incredulously. “You acted recklessly! You’ve drawn attention to us. Aiden and father are not fools; they will trace all of this back to us if you’re not careful.”Bryden’s face hardened. “And what was I supposed to do, just let things spiral out of control? Daniel was a l

Aiden’s grip on her hand tightened, anger flashing in his eyes. “That bastard. I’ll make sure he pays for this.”Silvana continued, her voice trembling. “But it wasn’t just him. There was another man. He wasn’t one of the ones guarding me, but he came into the bunker on three different nights. He tried to do the same thing Daniel did. He wasn’t Daniel, but he was just as terrible. Every time, I was so scared. My hands were tied behind my back, and I had to fight them off with my legs.”Aiden’s face grew darker with each word, his rage barely contained. “Who was he? Did you see his face?”Silvana shook her head, sobbing. “No, it was always too dark, and he wore a mask. I tried to keep him away, but they both got so angry when they couldn’t… when I wasn’t… responsive.”Aiden’s jaw clenched. “The marks on your thighs…?”Silvana nodded, tears streaming down her face. “Yes. They tried to force their way. One night, they drugged me. I don’t know what it was, but I woke up… naked. I don’t kn

As he hung up, Bryden knew he had to find a way to outmaneuver his father. He couldn’t let Daniel wake up and spill everything. He had to protect his family, no matter the cost.It had been a few days since Silvana had been rescued, and she was starting to feel more like herself. Aiden stayed by her side, offering comfort and support whenever she needed it. The trauma of her kidnapping still weighed heavily on her, but having Aiden close by made the burden a bit easier to bear.One morning, as the sun cast a warm glow into the room, the door opened, and Dr. Whitaker stepped in. He was an older man, with a kind face that bore the lines of years of experience. He greeted them with a reassuring smile.“Good morning, Silvana, Aiden,” Dr. Whitaker said, setting his medical bag on a nearby table. “How are we feeling today?”Silvana managed a small smile. “Better, I think. Aiden’s been taking good care of me.”Aiden nodded. “She’s been resting and eating well, Doctor.”“Good to hear,” Dr. Wh

Silvana sat in her wheelchair, her posture tense, her eyes darting around the room as if she were searching for something or someone. Her hands gripped the armrests tightly, her knuckles white from the pressure. Every now and then, she would flinch slightly, as though a sudden noise or movement startled her. Her normally vibrant eyes were clouded with a mixture of fear and confusion. Aiden’s concern deepened as he observed her. He made his way through the crowd, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “Silvana,” he said softly, “do you want to take a walk? Get some fresh air?” Silvana looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions. She nodded slowly. “Yes, I think I need that.” Aiden carefully maneuvered her wheelchair out of the ballroom, away from the noise and the crowd. They headed towards the garden, where a small, serene waterfall provided a tranquil escape from the festivities. The night air was cool and refreshing, carrying the soothing sound of the water cascadin