“Where are we going?” Emma asked, her voice barely above a whisper.“We're heading to the hospital,” Victor replied, his grip on her hand reassuring. “You need to be treated for those bruises.”As they entered the hospital, Victor felt the adrenaline still coursing through his veins, but his focus was solely on Emma. “Stay with me, Emma. You’re going to be alright,” he murmured, cradling her against his chest as he rushed through the sliding glass doors.The emergency room was a whirlwind of activity. Doctors and nurses rushed by, their faces a blur of urgency. Victor felt a tight knot in his stomach as he laid Emma gently on the stretcher. “You’re safe now,” he whispered, stroking her hair as the medical team surrounded her.“Victor,” she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with trust. “Don’t leave me.”“I won’t,” he promised, his heart aching at the sight of her bruised and battered body. “I’m right here.”As the doctors began their work, Victor stepped back, giving them

Victor’s grip on Emma’s hand tightened as he knelt beside her hospital bed, his eyes locked onto hers, searching for some way to ease her fear. The room felt heavy with tension, Maria’s threat looming over them like a dark cloud, but all Victor could focus on was the pain and desperation in Emma’s voice."Victor," she whispered, her voice trembling as her fingers curled tightly around his. "I can't keep living like this, wondering when she'll strike next. I can't lose you, or worse, my daughter. Please, you have to promise me"Victor shook his head sharply, cutting her off. "No. You’re not going to lose me. Or her. I won’t let it happen, Emma.""How can you be so sure?" Her voice cracked, the vulnerability in her tone pulling at his chest. "She’s already in the hospital, threatening my daughter, our future. How do we stop her?"Victor moved closer, cupping her cheek with his free hand. "I don’t have all the answers right now, but what I do know" he leaned in, his voice dropping to a l

Shattered TrustThe morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. I turned over to find Victor still asleep beside me, his strong features relaxed, a peaceful look that made my heart swell. Last night had been a whirlwind of emotions, a mix of fear and desire. For a moment, we had forgotten about our worries and focused solely on each other. I smiled, remembering how we had finally shared a moment of honesty, a moment that brought us closer than ever.“Good morning,” I whispered, brushing my fingers lightly against his cheek. He stirred, blinking sleepily before a smile broke across his face. “Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured, pulling me closer. I nestled against his chest, the warmth of his body wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. “I missed you last night,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.“I missed you too,” he replied, his tone turning serious. “I don’t want to leave your side again.”We shared a moment of silence, j

The Reckoning“You think you can threaten me, Maria?" Emma's voice was sharp, cutting through the thick tension in the air. Her eyes blazed with defiance, her fists clenched at her sides.Maria smirked, stepping closer, her heels clicking against the polished floor. "You're nothing but a toy in Victor's world, Emma," she spat, her words dripping with venom. "You don’t even belong here. You won't last."Emma didn't flinch. She stood her ground, her jaw tight. "I've already survived worse than you," she retorted, her voice steady. "You're not as powerful as you think."Victor, who had been watching the exchange silently, stepped forward. His tall frame loomed over Maria, and his voice was dangerously low. "Enough, Maria," he growled. "You're done. Leave."Maria let out a bitter laugh, her eyes flashing with a twisted sense of triumph. "Done? Do you think you can just cast me aside like I’m nothing? After everything we’ve been through?" Her gaze flickered to Emma, her lips curling into a

Under PressureEmma had just finished a crucial meeting for Victor’s business when she received a text. It was from Maria.“We need to talk. Now.”Her heart raced. She had hoped to avoid Maria, especially after everything that had happened. But she knew that ignoring the message would only make things worse. Taking a deep breath, she replied, “Fine. Where?”Maria’s response was immediate. “Meet me at The Velvet Lounge.”The Velvet Lounge was a place where secrets were exchanged and deals were made in shadows. Emma’s gut twisted at the thought of facing Maria again, but she steeled herself. She couldn’t let fear dictate her actions.Arriving at the lounge, the dim lighting made the atmosphere thick with tension. Emma spotted Maria sitting at a corner table, a smug smile on her face. As she approached, Maria’s eyes glinted with mischief.“Emma,” Maria purred, her voice dripping with condescension. “I’m so glad you could make it.”“What do you want, Maria?” Emma asked, keeping her tone