Ten Years Ago…
"Arielle, grab your sister now!" Mama screamed. In a flash, I snatched Naomi and pulled her behind the wardrobe, pressing my hand over her mouth. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat louder than the last. From our hiding spot, I could see Mama throwing her weight against the door, trying to keep it shut.
Strange voices echoed through the room—deep, angry, unfamiliar. My body trembled, but I held Naomi close, trying to be brave. Tears slipped silently down my cheeks.
"Please… please spare me," Mama begged.
"No, Linda," one of them sneered. "We asked nicely. You kept being stubborn, right? Now you pay,He pulled out a gun.
I wanted to scream, shout, run—do something—but my voice caught in my throat, paralyzed by fear.
A shot rang out.
Mama dropped.
Just like that—my world shattered
"Look around. Make sure there's nothing that ties us here," the man ordered.
He kicked her body aside like she was nothing. I stared in horror—and that's when I saw it: the tattoo on his forearm. A snake coiled around an arrow
And next to him stood someone else. He didn't speak. Didn't move. He just stared at Mama's body like he was frozen in time. Then… his eyes met mine
My heart stopped.
He saw me. I know he did . But he didn't say a word. He just… left. And the rest followed.
As soon as the door shut, I let go of Naomi and ran to Mama, shaking her lifeless body.
"Mama! Please—no, no, no! Don't do this to me, Mama!" I sobbed.
Hot tears spilled down my face, searing like lava. My heart burned—not just with grief, but with hatred
That night, I made a vow.
I woukd make them pay. All of them.
Ten Years Later…
I was already arranging my bag for work when I realized it was getting really late and Naomi was nowhere to be found!!!
"Naomi! You're going to miss the bus!"
I was already running late for work, and as usual, Naomi's teenage drama was adding to the chaos.
"Good morning, my beautiful, gorgeous, amazing, and sweet sister," she sang as she strolled into the kitchen.
That was rare. Suspiciously rare.
"What do you want this time?" I asked, not even turning to look at her.
"Just… a little money for snacks. Please?" she said with her best puppy eyes.
I sighed, grabbed my purse, and handed her the only bill I had—fifty dollars.
"Make it last," I warned, and off she went, practically skipping to the door.
The moment she was gone, I rushed to the bakery, breathless by the time I got there.
"Good morning, Mr. Gregory. I know I'm late, but this is the last time. I promise," I said, trying to catch my breath.
Mr. Gregory just shook his head with that same gentle smile. "Miss Monroe, this is the fourteenth time this month. And you keep saying the same thing."
I loved Mr. Gregory. He never judged me, even when I was barely keeping my life together.
I tied on my apron and got straight to work, handing out hot croissants and trying to pretend my world wasn't built on ashes. Nelly, my best friend and co-worker, showed up late too. Mr. Gregory just smiled at her like always.
Business was steady until the bell rang.
Someone walked in.
A man. Tall, quiet, mysterious. Something about him felt off—familiar in a way that made my stomach twist.
He ordered hot chocolate and a few cupcakes. I handed the tray over…
And then I saw it.
The tattoo.
A snake coiled around an arrow. The same one I had burned into my memory ten years ago.He saw the look in my eyes. He knew I recognized him.
He dropped everything and ran.
I didn't think. I bolted after him, pushing past confused customers and flying out the door.
I wasn't going to let him escape. Not again.
But as he reached the street—a black car came out of nowhere.
CRASH.
His body hit the ground hard, lifeless. Blood pooling.The car didn't stop. It sped off into the distance like a shadow fading into the night.No plates. No trace.
Just like ten years ago.
Arielle's POV:
I lay on the bare ground, wondering what emotion I should be feeling—anger for letting him go, or disgust at seeing someone who might've been part of the congregation that killed my mother? The thoughts tangled in my head, each one more painful than the last, when I felt a hand touch me.
"Excuse me, miss. I don't think it's safe for you to stay on the road," a voice said gently
Only then did I realize—I was lying in the middle of the road.
"Thank you, Mr…?" I asked, trying to guess his name
"Morello. My name is Cassian Morello," he replied, helping me to my feet.
That was the first time our eyes met. His blue eyes reflected the ocean's depth, and his silhouette… God, he looked like a sculptor's masterpiece. Perfect height, kissable lips, and a smile that felt like the first drop of snow on bare skin.
"Oh—I'm so sorry. I was lost in thought," I murmured, flustered.
"Please, let me drop you off. I think you've had a terrible day," he offered.
"No, I have to go to work. My shift isn't over yet—still got an hour or two," I replied.
"Miss…? What's your name again?" he asked.
"Monroe. Arielle Monroe," I said quietly.
"You seem quite stubborn for someone with such a beautiful and pleasant name," he smirked. "Call your boss and explain. You're wounded. And as the gentleman I am, I can't just let you go to work like that. Please, get in. Let me take you home."
He was so convincing, so calm, that I didn't argue. I climbed into his car.
On the way, I called Mr. Gregory and told him what happened. He insisted I take the rest of the day off.
Cassian told a few funny jokes during the ride, his voice like honey that distracted me from the sting of the day. He even bought me crumble cookies to snack on. When we reached my apartment, he walked me inside, helped me clean up, and applied ointment to the wound.
"Thank you, Mr. Morello," I said.
"Please, call me Cassian."
I walked him to the door. He gave me a look I couldn't decipher and then left.
Cassian's POV:
I felt a strange sense of calm after making sure Arielle was okay. But now… I had things to take care of.
I pulled out my phone and called Venom.
"Don't kill him yet. I'm coming. He shouldn't have gotten that close to my property," I said coldly
Don't worry, Miss Monroe.
We're far from finished, my little beautiful woman…