His own to have

SACRED GIST

CHAPTER 5

SACRED GIST

EMMA’s POV

The frown on my friend Teresa’s pale, beautiful face deepened with each passing moment, the weight of the situation clearly gnawing at her. I settled beside her, offering a cold drink and some snacks, which she accepted gratefully. She had called me earlier that evening, her voice filled with panic and raw fear.

I already knew the reason for her distress. I had taken my brother away from that scene, but I dreaded what Dato would do. Teresa meant everything to him.

“Did he really carry you into his house? Like, actually carry you?” I asked again, needing confirmation.

Teresa sighed and took a big bite of the chocolate roll I had handed her, washing it down with the cold juice. She nodded, a sad smile playing on her lips.

“Babes… not just that. I can’t explain what I just survived. He started rambling about how I awakened his spirit and soul, claiming he was crazy for me and would kill anyone who got in his way!” she confessed.

I listened, choosing not to interrupt.

“Well, I told him I have a boyfriend, and he flared up. You should have seen his eyes! I was terrified. We were alone in his study, and I just prayed—his eyes were dilating like a madman’s… I cried,” she continued.

“He said so many things I don’t even want to relive now that I’m safe at home. But there’s something else that’s bothering me,” Teresa added.

I inched closer, my heart racing with concern. Deep down, I knew she should be worried about more than just one thing. From what she had told me, she should be terrified about countless things. She may not realize who Liam Ramaz Pavla really was, but I did. He would follow through on his threats.

I suppressed my fear for both her and my brother, not wanting to add to her anxiety. But what she said next sent chills down my spine.

“When he finally let me go, without any guards breathing down my neck…” Teresa began, “I walked out and recognized the place.”

My heart stopped. What was she talking about? I thought she had never been to that estate before yesterday. It wasn't a place for people like us—unless… My worst fears were confirmed when she nodded slowly, her expression mirroring my shock.

I grabbed her cold, soft hand, squeezing it in disbelief. “Your mom’s workplace!” I gasped, the panic I had been holding back flooding out in full force.

“I just found out too. I got home and checked the picture again. Emma, my mom was in the house when he carried me in! What if she had seen me? She would faint, I swear!” Teresa lamented, shaking her legs anxiously.

“Teresa, we’re in deep trouble, and we need to handle this now! I think you should tell Dato! He’ll know what to do!” I blurted out, the first idea that popped into my head.

Her glare made it clear that she thought I was insane. “You want me to tell Dato? Are you crazy?” she hissed.

I realized how dumb that suggestion sounded. It would only worsen the situation. So, I sat back in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts, searching for a solution.

“I’ll just stay away from him. He won’t find me,” Teresa announced, a new flicker of hope and excitement in her voice.

I opened my mouth to argue, to tell her it was impossible to hide from Liam. He could find anyone in an instant. But I closed it almost immediately. The relief on her face was too precious to shatter with reality.

Let her have this moment of peace—at least until Liam bared his teeth at her again. He wouldn’t give up easily, especially after giving her a brand new phone and warning her never to turn it off.

If he found out about Teresa’s mom working at his house, it would be disastrous.

I stared at my friend, realizing that I was just as trapped as she was. Caught between what to tell my brother and how to help my best friend, Dato had already taken a beating for this situation. I had lied to him when he asked about it; of course, I would never betray Teresa. But when it came to my brother’s safety, I couldn’t just stand by.

I couldn’t let him ruin his life like this; Dato would undoubtedly want to retaliate.

Liam Ramaz Pavla was not someone to be trifled with. He was a raging beast who could tear my brother apart before he even got a chance to defend himself.

I sighed deeply, unaware of how loud it was until Teresa’s worried gaze met mine. I quickly forced a smile, a facade to ease her worries.

It worked, at least momentarily; she seemed to relax. I was glad for that. We could enjoy this fleeting peace while it lasted. But deep down, I knew she was pretending everything was fine. I could see it in her eyes; she was just as aware as I was of the looming danger.

Right now, it wasn’t just complicated

. It was a disaster. Liam had her right where he wanted her.