Chapter 1: The Night That Changed Everything

Rain poured heavily, as if the sky itself had lost control.

Cold drops hit my skin, soaking my clothes, blurring my vision. My breath came out in short, uneven gasps as I ran through the empty street, my heartbeat echoing loudly in my ears.

I didn’t even know why I was running.

Just a few minutes ago, everything was normal. I was finishing my shift, thinking about going home, maybe getting some sleep…

And then—

Gunshots.

The sound still rang in my ears.

“Stop.”

That voice.

Low. Calm. Terrifying.

It didn’t shout. It didn’t need to.

My legs froze for a split second… but fear pushed me forward again.

I ran faster.

Big mistake.

Before I could even turn the corner, my body slammed into something—no, someone.

Strong arms caught me instantly, stopping me from falling.

“Careful.”

His voice was steady, almost bored… but there was something in it that made my chest tighten.

Slowly, hesitantly, I looked up.

And my world stopped.

He was… different.

Black suit, perfectly fitted, now slightly damp from the rain. His hair was wet, a few strands falling over his forehead. His face was sharp, almost unreal.

But it was his eyes that trapped me.

Dark.

Cold.

Empty.

Like he didn’t feel anything at all.

A chill ran down my spine.

“I-I’m sorry,” I stuttered, trying to step back, but his grip on my arm tightened.

I couldn’t move.

Before I could say anything else, several men appeared around us, surrounding us like a wall.

My heart dropped.

“Boss,” one of them said respectfully, “she was there.”

There?

My mind went blank.

What were they talking about?

“I didn’t see anything!” I blurted out quickly, panic rising in my chest. “I swear, I didn’t see anything, please—”

“Then why did you run?”

His voice cut through mine like a knife.

I went silent.

Because I didn’t know what to say.

Because I knew… no matter what I said, he wouldn’t believe me.

He stepped closer.

Too close.

I could feel his presence, heavy and suffocating, like the air itself had changed.

His fingers reached up and lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze again.

I tried to look away.

I couldn’t.

“People who lie…” he said softly, his voice dropping as he leaned near my ear, “…don’t live long.”

My breath hitched.

Tears burned in my eyes.

“Please…” I whispered, my voice shaking, “I don’t want any trouble. I’ll forget everything. I promise.”

For a moment, everything went silent.

The rain.

The street.

Even my own thoughts.

All I could feel… was him.

He stared at me like he was trying to read something hidden deep inside me.

Like my life was just a decision waiting to be made.

Kill… or let go.

Seconds felt like hours.

Then suddenly—

He smiled.

But it wasn’t a kind smile.

It wasn’t warm.

It was dangerous.

The kind of smile that warned you something was about to go very, very wrong.

“Too late.”

My heart stopped.

Before I could react, he turned slightly toward his men.

“Take her.”

“What? No—wait! Please!” Panic exploded inside me as I tried to pull away, but their grip was too strong.

“No! I didn’t do anything! Let me go!”

I struggled, my voice breaking, but it was useless.

They didn’t even hesitate.

Like this was normal.

Like I meant nothing.

Suddenly, his hand grabbed my wrist again, pulling me back toward him.

My body stiffened.

“You made one mistake,” he said calmly, his voice steady despite the chaos around us.

I shook my head desperately, tears streaming down my face.

“I didn’t—”

“And now…” he continued, cutting me off.

He leaned closer.

So close I could feel his breath against my skin.

“You belong to me.”

Belong to him?

No… this had to be a nightmare.

Because if it wasn’t… then my life was already over.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***