What more do you want?” Enzo demanded. “Our mother died because of you.” Elena’s chest tightened painfully.You owe us your life,” he continued. “We kept you here when no one else would. You should be grateful.” Grateful. The word echoed in her mind. Behind him, Valeria lowered her gaze, but the corner of her lips lifted slightly. “I will teach you a lesson you will never forget,” Enzo said coldly. Valeria stepped forward quickly and touched his arm. “Brother, please,” she said softly. “Perhaps she was only upset.” Elena stared at her, disbelief burning through her tears. “You said I owe my life to you,” Elena whispered, her voice raw. “Because your mother saved me.” Her hands trembled at her sides. “Have you forgotten what really happened at the lake?” The room went still. “Valeria pushed me,” Elena said, her voice shaking but steady enough to be heard. “She pushed me into the water. She jumped in after me because she did not want to be blamed. She slipped.” Valeria’s eyes widened instantly.

"You said five thousand," she snapped at the man sitting across from her. "She's worth more than that."The man wore all black. A small scar ran across his cheek. He leaned back in the chair, unfazed. "You're lucky Luciano's even interested. He doesn't take girls off the street. He wants silence, loyalty. No attitude.""She's quiet," Rosa insisted. "Obedient. She won't be a problem."In the hallway, just beyond the door, Isla stood frozen. She held a tray with half-filled glasses and a dirty ashtray. Her name. She had heard her name.She stepped closer to the door."She's still untouched, right?" the man asked.Rosa's voice was cold. "Of course. She's clean."Isla's stomach turned. Her heart pounded against her chest. She stepped back, bumping into the wall, knocking over a broom. The sound echoed through the hallway.The door creaked open.Rosa's eyes narrowed when she saw her."Isla," her mother said sharply. "What are you doing here?"Isla stepped into the room slowly, confused, afraid. "Mama… what are you talking about? Why are they asking about me?"Rosa glanced at the man, then looked away. "It's nothing. Go back to your chores.""No." Isla shook her head. Her voice trembled. "You said I didn't have to work upstairs. You promised—"The man stood. He looked Isla up and down, like he was sizing up meat in a butcher's shop. "She'll do," he muttered."Mama," Isla whispered, her voice cracking. "Please... what's going on?"Rosa looked at her daughter, but there was no softness in her eyes. Only exhaustion."You'll be better off with him, girl," she said flatly. "He can feed you. I can't."Isla's lips parted, but no words came out.She felt like the floor had dropped beneath her.The man turned away, walking to the side door. "He's waiting."The door opened wider, and Luciano stepped inside.He was tall, dressed in a black suit with no tie. His coat hung open, his hands in his pockets. His face was clean-shaven, sharp, dangerous. Eyes like polished stone locked onto Isla.Silence fell in the room.Luciano stepped closer. He said nothing at first. Just looked at her."Name?" he asked finally.Isla swallowed. "Isla."He tilted his head slightly. "Age?""Seventeen," Rosa said quickly.Luciano raised an eyebrow. "Looks older.""She's mature for her age," Rosa added.Luciano took a slow step toward Isla. She backed away instinctively, but he stopped in front of her. He reached out, gently tilted her chin up with one finger."No scars. No attitude." His voice was smooth, but cold. "You'll learn."He turned to Rosa. "We're done here."A thick envelope hit the table with a dull thud.Rosa picked it up without hesitation.Isla's eyes widened. "You sold me...?"Rosa didn't answer. She turned her back, pocketing the money.Luciano gave Isla one last look before nodding to his man. "Take her."As rough hands grabbed her arm, Isla struggled. "Mama, don't let them take me! Mama!"But Rosa didn't turn around.She just lit a cigarette with shaking hands.And let the door close behind her.***********************************The car door slammed shut behind Isla before she could even look back.She sat pressed against the door, eyes wide, her hands shaking in her lap. The leather seats were soft, too soft. The air inside smelled like cologne and expensive silence.The man from earlier—Luciano's right hand—sat beside her. He didn't speak right away. He just looked ahead, sunglasses still on though the sun was fading outside."I'm not a thing," Isla said finally, voice low. "You can't just take people."He turned to her slowly. "You are now."Her mouth parted, but no sound came out."My name's Enzo," he added, flatly. "Luciano's second. You listen to me, you stay alive.

The Moon Goddess did not move. “You loved him,” she said. “That is why it worked.” Tears burned my eyes. “You are cruel.” “I am necessary,” she replied. I shook my head violently. “No. Do not pretend this was fate. This was manipulation.” Her eyes glinted. “All gods manipulate.” I stepped forward, my fear burned away by fury. “Then you are no better than Kael.” The air went deathly still. For the first time, something flickered across her face. Not anger. Interest. “You dare compare me to a man?” she asked. “I dare,” I said, my voice shaking but strong. “You both watched me suffer and called it purpose.” The silence stretched long and heavy. Then she spoke again, softer this time. “You survived,” she said. “That is the difference.” “At what cost?” I demanded. She studied me for a long moment.

Girl.” My friend leaned close to my ear, shouting over the music. “If you want him, go get him. He just sat down alone.” I blinked at her, shaking my head, but she laughed, her eyes mischievous. “Don’t look at me like that. You’ve been staring at him since he walked in. And you’ve had enough shots to make you brave. Go say hi.” She was teasing, but the alcohol made the idea stick. Before I could think better of it, my legs carried me forward. I wove through the dancers, each step both terrifying and thrilling, until I reached the edge of the lounge area where the stranger had claimed the only empty chair. The light from the bar caught his face, illuminating sharp cheekbones, a jawline cut from stone, and lips that looked like they could ruin a woman with one word—or one kiss The only softness about him was his eyes. Blue. Bright and startling, like tropical water under full sun. They pinned me where I stood, making me feel bare, like he already knew what I was. I swallowed, my courage rattling inside me. “Mind if I sit?” He didn’t move for a long beat. Then his gaze flicked to the chair beside him, then back to me. “Depends. You planning on talking or just staring?” Heat rushed to my face. “Maybe both.” His mouth tilted into the faintest smirk. Arrogant. Confident. Dangerous. I sat down anyway, clutching my glass like a lifeline. He leaned an elbow against the counter, fingers brushing the scruff along his jawline. The veins on his arm stood out under the tattoos, every line of him commanding, powerful. “What’s your poison?” “Tequila.” “Figures.” He flagged down the bartender with two fingers, and when the drinks arrived, he slid a fresh shot toward me. “On me.” I hesitated, but the alcohol already in my veins made me reckless. I tipped it back in one

⚠️ Warning: Abuse, descriptive sexual acts, please refrain from reading this if you're below 18, forbidden love, BDSM, sex control, manipulation. "Take off your dress,” he ordered, his voice quiet but commanding. One guard hesitated and tried to speak, “But, sir—” Damian’s cold stare silenced him immediately. “I said take it off,” he repeated, this time with no room for argument. The guards exchanged nervous looks and then left the room, closing the door with a chilling finality. Aurora was now alone with this man, the one who had bought her like an object. Her dress felt heavy, her heels like chains. Taking a shaky step toward him, her breathing echoed in the silence. “Please,” Aurora whispered, dropping to her knees. “I’m only eighteen. Don’t do this.” Her voice was small, trembling, but she knew he held all the power.