𝑾𝑯𝒀 𝑴𝑬

𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈

     Grace's POV

The throbbing in my head matched the chaos swirling in my mind. I couldn't shake the weight of last night's tears

Splashing cold water on my face brought a momentary clarity, but the reality of my situation settled heavily on my shoulders. I took a deep breath and headed downstairs, bracing myself for whatever awaited me.

"Good morning, Miss Parker. Did you sleep well?" A voice broke through my thoughts. Bella Carson, the housekeeper, stood before me, her kind smile doing little to ease the tension in my chest.

"Good morning," I mumbled, staring at the floor, wishing I could melt into it.

"I know you're feeling strange because of your new life and..."

I couldn't let her finish. "No, you don't know! How can you say that? You weren't kidnapped! You aren't forced to stay here against your will!" My voice trembled, and tears sprang to my eyes again. "So how the hell can you say you understand how I feel?"

Bella looked taken aback, her smile fading as she stepped back. I hated that I'd snapped at her, but the anger boiling inside me had to escape somehow.

Just then, a voice cut through my turmoil, dripping with arrogance. "Such a troublemaker, aren't you, princess?" My stomach dropped. I'd hoped to avoid him today, but fate had other plans.

"Bella, you can go," he commanded, and she left us. My heart raced, a mix of fear and fury, as he stepped closer.

"Face me, princess." I wanted to shrink away, to disappear entirely, but the ground wouldn't swallow me. I stayed frozen, the dread coiling tighter around me. "I said FACE ME!!"

His hands were suddenly on my arms, forcing me to turn. The grip was too tight, too possessive. "What part of what I said didn't you understand, hein?" His voice was low, dangerous.

"Let me go! Please! You're hurting me!" I pleaded, struggling against his hold, but he was unyielding, the strength in his grip sending panic through me.

"Don't move, princess. Stay still." His breath was hot against my face

    FLASH BACK
   Bright's POV

"Bright! Bright! Open the door! Bright!" I was sleeping when I heard that voice of Alexander. "What's wrong with you ?? " I said while getting up from the bed.

 " Bright, why are you not ready yet " shit , I forget that I have that meeting , I really don't understand why people fix their meeting earlier. "Wait in car , I'll be ready in 20 minutes" with that I went to the bathroom and did my morning routine. After that , I was ready and we went to the meeting.
   

    " Do we have a deal Mr Smith?" This man asked while giving his hands to me. "Of course, Mr Cameroun" with that I took his hands. After sometime, we finished the meeting and we went back to home but when I arrived in the downstairs, I saw Grace who were talking with Bella

   END OF FLASH BACK
  The pain in my arms faded as he released me, suddenly swept away by the small whirlwind of a boy. "Bright!" Win's voice rang with pure joy, and I watched, bewildered, as the fierce man I'd just faced transformed into a gentle brother, scooping the little one up in a tight embrace.

"I missed you so much! Win, I haven't seen you for a while!" Bright's voice softened, and for a moment, I was struck by the stark contrast between this tender side of him and the monster I'd just encountered.

"I miss you too! But... who's that person?" Win's innocent curiosity broke the tension, and I could feel Bright's eyes shift back to me. "She's Grace. And from now on, she'll live here with us, okay?" His tone was different...almost affectionate.