Harvey

The past month had been a whirlwind of preparation and self-reflection. Damien had left that night, and I didn't stop him. I couldn't stop him. I wasn't even sure what I wanted anymore. Instead, I channeled all my energy into my studies, determined to graduate early, and into readying myself for the tests I would need to pass to take over the ring from my grandfather.

Today was the day of our meeting, and as I made my way to the gym, my mind was filled with thoughts of what I would say to him. I had spent countless hours honing my skills, physically and mentally, preparing for this moment. I was ready.

Luca entered the gym before me and let out a low whistle. "Damn, Harvs, you've got muscles," he remarked, a mischievous grin on his face. I rolled my eyes and slipped on a hoodie before heading to the showers.

As I walked back to my room, my gaze fell upon the stack of pink diaries on my desk. Over the past month, I had delved into Olivia's life, trying to understand her perspective. It was during this time that I had a revelation about what needed to be done.

After dressing, I tucked a knife and the gun Luca had crafted into my waistband. I was vigilant and ready for anything. When I made my way downstairs, Luca and, surprisingly, our father were waiting. I scowled at my father but walked ahead with Luca. To my relief, our father took a separate car.

Once we were on the road, I couldn't help but ask Luca, "Why's he coming along?"

Luca sighed and replied, "Says he missed his wife or some bullshit." I snorted in response, and we settled into a comfortable silence as we headed toward our destination.

We reached my grandfather's imposing mansion, and once inside, we settled into the familiar meeting room. Despite all my preparation, my heart was still pounding with nervous energy. My grandfather regarded me with a shrewd look, and I knew he was waiting for my decision.

The tension in the room was palpable as we settled down in my grandfather's opulent meeting room. My heart was pounding, my nerves almost getting the best of me. My grandfather regarded me with his keen eyes, the weight of generations in his gaze.

"So, little one," he began, breaking the silence. "What have you decided then?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "I'll do it," I said resolutely. "But on one condition."

Luca shot me a bewildered look, as if no one had ever dared to ask our grandfather for anything before. My grandfather, however, simply chuckled. "And what is this condition?" he inquired.

A small, hesitant smile curled at the corners of my lips. "Let Olivia go," I said firmly. "And cancel the marriage you've arranged for her."

A heavy silence hung in the room. I braced myself for a possible outburst, but instead, my grandfather leaned forward, his eyes locked onto mine. He nodded subtly, and a wave of relief washed over me. "If that is your wish," he said quietly, "then that it shall be."

I let out a sigh I didn't even realize I'd been holding, and my shoulders relaxed. I leaned back in my chair, the tension gradually dissipating. My grandfather, however, had one more thing to say.

"We will meet in three months' time," he informed me. "Be prepared, and don't forget to bring the boy with you."

The countdown had begun, and the weight of my decision hung over me like a shroud.

I woke up to the sound of rain tapping gently against my bedroom window. It had been two months since I last spoke to Damien, and even longer since I heard from Killan. The silence had been suffocating, leaving me feeling helpless and lost. But today, I decided to change that.

With a determination burning inside me, I reached for my phone and booked a ticket to Russia, the quickest flight I could find. I needed answers, closure, and most of all, I needed to take control of my own life.

My bags were packed, and I had all my belongings with me. I glanced around my room, taking in the familiar surroundings that had felt like a cage lately. I had to leave, even if just for a while.

I made my way downstairs, where my brothers were waiting. I gave Luca a tight hug, feeling a mixture of sadness and excitement. He was the only one who understood why I had to do this. I whispered a soft goodbye to the rest of my family, who watched me with sad smiles.

As I got into the taxi, I felt a sense of unease. The rain continued to fall, and I watched droplets trickle down the window as if they held the answers I sought. I thought about the past two months, filled with misery and uncertainty.

Olivia was back, and while her actions had toned down, she had brought her boyfriend, now fiancé, around a lot more. I couldn't help but wonder why she deserved love while I felt starved of it.

The taxi came to a stop, snapping me out of my thoughts. I grabbed my bags and headed into the airport. Russia awaited me, and I was ready to face whatever lay ahead, determined to take control of my destiny.

As I reached Killan's house in Russia, I wasted no time and rented a car at the airport. Determined to find answers, I sped through the unfamiliar streets until I reached my destination.

But as I pulled up to the gate of Killan's house, something was off. I'd been here before, and I'd never been stopped like this. I frowned and looked at the guard, a sense of unease creeping over me.

"Why are you stopping me?" I asked, my voice tinged with irritation.

He motioned for me to step out of the car, and I complied, my hands raised in surrender. "What's going on?" I demanded.

Without warning, the guard grabbed me and slammed me against the car hood. My breath caught in my throat as anger and fear surged through me. His whispered words sent a shock of disgust through my veins. "Do you think I don't know whores like you come here for only one thing?"

That was it. I couldn't take it anymore. I managed to knee him hard in the groin, causing him to double over in pain. Taking advantage of his vulnerability, I unleashed a barrage of punches, each one fueled by my anger and disgust.

"Never," I hissed between punches, "call me that again."

The guard crumpled to the ground, clutching his stomach, and I took a step back, panting heavily. I couldn't believe what had just happened, but I wasn't going to let anyone demean me, especially not here, not now.

After dealing with the unruly guard at the gate, I sped towards Killan's house. My heart raced, and my thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and concern. Why had the guard acted this way? And where was Killan?

The road to Killan's house was dark and winding, with thick trees looming overhead. It seemed to stretch on forever, each passing minute adding to my unease. Finally, the imposing gates of Killan's residence came into view.

I parked the car, my hands trembling, and approached the gate cautiously. This time, there was no aggressive guard waiting for me. Instead, an eerie silence enveloped the premises. The house itself loomed like a shadow in the night.

With each step towards the front door, my apprehension grew. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. My knuckles rapped against the door, and I waited, my heart pounding in my chest.

The aura in Killan's office was one of grandeur and sophistication, an extravagant chamber adorned with dark wood furniture that exuded an air of timeless elegance. Mahogany bookshelves lined the walls, filled with leather-bound books that whispered of knowledge and secrets. The soft glow of antique lamps bathed the room in a warm, amber light, casting intricate patterns on the plush, burgundy carpet beneath my feet.

But I had little time to appreciate the opulence that surrounded me. With a sense of urgency burning in my chest, I pushed through the heavy, ornate door and locked my eyes onto Killan, my voice quivering with a desperate plea, "I need your help."

To my profound astonishment, Killan was not alone. A disheveled girl, a few years his senior, clung to him like a shadow. Her crimson lipstick was smeared, her raven-black hair hung in unruly tangles, and a smug, victorious grin marred her features. She seemed to wear disarray with an air of nonchalance.

Killan's reaction was swift and resolute. He dismissed the girl with a curt, dismissive gesture, and she stormed out, her footsteps echoing in the corridor as she shouted indignant words, leaving behind an air heavy with tension and resentment.

Once she had departed, Killan's icy exterior thawed into an expression of genuine concern. His deep, ocean-blue eyes, which had moments ago borne the weight of a complicated situation, softened as he turned his full attention to me. It was then that I noticed how his hand had instinctively reached out, as if to offer a comforting touch.

However, my emotions were a tumultuous sea, and the gentle gesture sent shivers of distress down my spine. I recoiled, my voice quivering with the remnants of the anger that had consumed me just moments before.

Killan's hands slammed down on the table, a thunderous crack that jolted me from my spiral of hurt and confusion. My voice trembled as I confronted him, unable to contain the pain and betrayal that gnawed at me. "Is this why you've been avoiding me for two months? Because you found someone else? I wasn't good enough -"

"Stop it," Killan snapped, his patience unraveling like a tightly wound thread. He looked at me with frustration etched into his features. "You have no right after you told me you just wanted to be friends. I'm not going to wait around forever, you need to wake up."

I collapsed back into the chair, feeling utterly defeated. My eyes welled with tears, and a soft chorus of sniffles filled the room, a painful reminder of my shattered heart. "Fucking hell, Harvs, you're still a child," Killan scolded, his tone laced with exasperation. "You're sixteen for fuck's sake."

My response was a bitter, mirthless laugh that held no joy. "Seventeen," I muttered, the weight of the years ahead feeling heavier than ever. I met Killan's gaze, my eyes reflecting the emptiness that had settled within me. "Doesn't matter."

I looked at Killan, desperation in my eyes. "I don't want to do this right now. I need help."

Killan let out a resigned sigh, his annoyance giving way to concern. "What is it?" he asked, his voice softer.

My voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible. "Damien."

Killan's posture shifted. "What about him now?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. "He disappeared a few months ago, and I... I can't... I don't..." I faltered, my emotions too raw to put into words.

Before I could continue, Killan stopped me. He opened his mouth, likely to offer some reassurance or advice, but I pressed on. "I miss him," I confessed, my voice barely audible.

The door to the room swung open abruptly, and a voice interrupted, "Miss who?"