45,000 feet above the ground.

The plane hummed steadily, almost lulling you to sleep.
Below the wing—clouds, white and soft, like you could step out and fall straight into them.
Yeah, and go fucking insane right there — Hades.
I gave him a look.
“Give it a rest.”
Inside—the density was completely different.
The air was thick.
Tense.
Alive.
“Damn… my ass is numb,” the aristocrat stretched lazily, not even lifting his eyes from the newspaper.
“Good to know. Thanks for clarifying,” Cody said.
I couldn’t help a small smile. I took a sip.
The whiskey spread through me, warm, softening the edge a bit.
“Darling…” Aaron.
Here we go — Hades rolled his eyes.
I swallowed a laugh.
“Maybe… mm…”
Aaron didn’t finish.
Instead, he jerked his chin toward the aisle.
Barely noticeable.
Like no one noticed.
Everyone did.
He even added it with his eyes—quick, sliding: there and back.
Like an invitation.
Quiet.
But perfectly clear.
We exchanged glances.
“What, is he having a seizure?” Jonathan.
“No. He’s hinting to Cody that maybe…” — pause, deliberate, letting Aaron blush harder — “…you could have some fun right here on the plane,” the aristocrat flipped a page lazily, like we were discussing the weather.
Aaron’s eyes went wide—completely.
Cody muttered a curse under her breath.
I took another sip, watching it all with a slight squint, like a good scene where everyone had already stepped into their role.
The aristocrat set the newspaper aside. Slowly. Deliberately.
“So?”
“So what?” Cody played it off like she didn’t care.
“So what,” Jonathan echoed, openly mimicking Josh now, stretching the words.
Aaron suddenly perked up:
“So what?”
Josh and Jonathan turned their heads toward him at the same time.
Same expression.
I held back a smile and slowly ran my finger along the rim of my glass. Just because. No reason.
A pause hung.
The kind where everything’s already been said, but no one wants to be the first to admit it.
“Guys, knock it off,” Cody tightened her grip on the glass just a little too much.
I grimaced.
“Jesus, guys, seriously, enough—”
Didn’t get to finish.
Josh was already on his feet.
Sharp. The chair scraped back.
“Did you really just say that?” he locked eyes on Aaron.
“And?” Aaron didn’t even blink.
A second.
That’s all.
Josh moved on him.
No warning.
A shove—hard, straight to the chest.
Aaron staggered half a step back, then came right back in.
“Oh, now we’re talking.”
And they went at each other.
Not clean.
Not for show.
Hands to shoulders, a yank, a grip—who’s going to take who down.
Bodies thud into each other.
“Hey—guys, I’m in too—”
Jonathan pushed in between them.
Bad idea.
He got taken out instantly.
Josh, without even looking—shoulder first, like rugby.
Aaron slammed into the side of a seat, almost flipping it.
“The hell is wrong with you—”
He didn’t finish. He was already lunging back in.
Now it’s three.
A pile.
Alive.
Heated.
Jonathan tried to grab Josh, but Josh twisted out, caught him around the torso and just drove him straight forward.
“Down!”
They crashed into the table.
A glass slid, whiskey splashed.
Aaron, laughing, grabbed the bottle:
“I’ll—”
Didn’t finish—Josh smacked it out of his hand.
The bottle hit an elbow with a dull clink, didn’t fully break—just slipped, sliding slightly.
“Are you an idiot?!”
“You’re the idiot!”
Jonathan’s already on top, pinning Josh into the seat, but Josh jerks hard—and they switch.
“Come on—come on!”
“Get over here!”
Noise, breath, hits—not to the face, but shoulders, back, body.
Aaron barrels into them again, full speed, all in—
and just wipes both of them out.
All three go down almost at once.
“What the hell is wrong with you—”
“Shut up!”
“You shut up!”
They’re already on the floor, trying to get up, already grabbing each other again.
“God… you’re insane…”
Josh gives in first—drops onto his back, breathing heavy.
“Alright… alright… enough…”
“Wuss,” Jonathan exhales, already grinning.
Aaron sits up, rubbing his neck.
“One day I’m actually going to kill you…”
“Try it,” Josh snorts.
And then—laughter again.
Loud.
Rough.
Real.
I watch them—messy, heated, alive.
I’m so glad we’re together.
Not all of us, sweetheart — Hades.
I freeze for a second.
Damn.
“Come on, sweetheart, let it go,” Hades drawls lazily.
I exhale.
“Right.”
I wipe away a tear.
To hell with it.
“Go do some girly shit when we land…” Hades drawled,
“take up embroidery or something.”
I smirked.
“I’ll think about it, boys.”
Mine were already spent.
Aaron leaned back in his seat.
Jonathan ran a hand over his face.
“I’m starving…” Josh dragged out, breathing heavy. “When are they bringing the food, anyway?”
“Boys… since when did you get this rude?”
And then—something clicked.
They got serious.
Instantly.
All three.
Like a switch flipped.
Jonathan straightened up.
Aaron dropped his gaze.
The aristocrat didn’t even move—he just shifted.
“We just wanted to cheer you up.”
I smiled.
And in that same second I felt tears rising.
My throat tightened.
My lips started trembling.
Tears just poured.
“I’m sorry, guys… I feel really bad that I’m ruining your time here…”
I wiped my face, just smearing all my makeup.
“I really… I’m sorry…”
A pause.
“I’ll just go to my room… I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.”
“No.” Jonathan.
“No.” Aaron.
“No.” the aristocrat.
I froze.
I blinked.
Then I threw myself at them—hugging all of them at once.
Warm.
Alive.
Real.
“Thank you…” I said quietly into their shoulder. “I really feel bad for putting my drama on you…”
They brushed it off.
Easy.
“Come on.”
“You’re not bothering us at all.”
“You serious right now?”
I pressed closer.
Started crying.
Thank God I have a family.
Without them—I’d be lost.
The guys nodded.
I blushed.
“Can I ask you guys… to play something with me? I’d really love something fun.”
They lit up.
So did I.
Cody pulled out a game.
Obviously, people like this don’t do normal games.
It was called Hit or Drink.
Jesus.
I already started laughing.
We ordered food.
I know my people like the back of my hand.
I take care of them. I love every single one.
For Cody—sushi, almost no fish.
Just a touch of wasabi, mostly for looks, and everything properly sourced.
For Josh—strictly high-end cuisine.
Everything fresh. No reheated crap.
He hates that.
For me—pizza and manty dumplings.
For Jonathan—
good beer,
top-shelf whiskey,
cigarettes,
his favorite pasta,
and a couple of lettuce leaves.
“Miss, would you like the vegetables?”
All my guys looked at me.
Stewed vegetables. The way Caleb’s mom makes them. His favorite dish.
My eyes filled again.
Tears started slipping down.
I carefully wiped them with a napkin.
“I’m sorry…”
“No, it’s okay,” the flight attendant smiled gently and stepped away.
Guys—
I just broke down.
“I’m so sorry… I really don’t want to… I can’t…
I just want to lie down and… and—”
The tears just poured.
I was a mess.
“No way you’re doing this alone.”
They all rushed in, hugging me.

Bedroom
“Jonathan?..”
He looked up right away.
“Sweetheart… hug me, please.”
He didn’t answer.
Just shifted closer and pulled me in.
I pressed into him.
Warm.
Solid.
Strong.
I hid under the blanket, burying my face in his chest.
My breathing slowly evened out.
He held me a little tighter—no words, but enough to calm everything inside.
I curled up even more, pulling my legs in, settling on his lap like I was trying to take up as little space as possible—
and at the same time fit into him completely.
The guys settled in around us.
On the bed, on the floor, in the armchair.
The aristocrat, without getting up, reached for the remote.
“Alright… let’s see…”
The screen lit up.
“Lilo & Stitch,” he muttered.
Perfect.
Quiet.
Warm.
Home.
The movie just started loading.
The first seconds rolled.
And then—
him.
Full force.
Loud.
A full-on fart.
I froze.
For a second.
They all looked at each other.
And then—
that did it.
I burst out laughing.
So suddenly my tears hadn’t even dried yet.
“God…”
I couldn’t stop.
The guys too.
Jonathan snorted first, then lost it.
Cody doubled over, Aaron buried his face in a pillow.
“Are you serious right now?!”
Josh went red instantly.
“I— I—”
He jumped up.
“The hell—”
And just bolted to the bathroom.
We were already losing it.
Laughter came in waves.
“God… how—” I couldn’t even finish.
From the bathroom:
“It’s those damn beans!”
“You didn’t even eat beans, idiot,” Cody shot back.
And we lost it again.
I covered my face with my hands, but only started laughing harder.
“God… that’s disgusting…”
But it was so funny there was no stopping it.
The laughter washed everything out.
All the weight.
All the pain.
Leaving only this—
alive, warm, real.
Then that familiar music kicked in.
That one.
And the cartoon started.
Finally—Lilo & Stitch. I love it.
I started crying again.
Quietly.
Just… slowly.
Jonathan gently stroked my hair, slow, steady—like he was steadying me from the inside.
His fingers warm.
His movements calm.
He leaned in slightly and kissed the top of my head.
Light.
Soft.
“Thank you, sweetheart…”
Quiet. Almost a whisper.
“Miss…”
A voice from somewhere to the side.
“Hey…”
“They want you on the phone.”
I waved my hand sharply, not even lifting my head.
“No. No—no—no.”
I buried myself deeper into Jonathan.
“I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t.”
A pause.
“Tell him to go to hell… asshole.”
We all exchanged glances.
Nodded.
Jonathan pulled the blanket up a little higher, tucking me in.
His hand stayed in my hair.
Steady.
Slow.
Like an anchor.
The sound of the cartoon faded into the background.
Voices softened.
The light turned warm.
And I just…
drifted off.
Fell asleep in his arms.

Italy.
I bloomed.
“Italy…”
It was my dream.
A dream you carry inside for so long—
and now it’s almost in your hands.
And everything would’ve been perfect…
If not for the last hour before landing.
We got so drunk it wasn’t a pretty sight.
The plane, which just recently felt almost cozy, now looked…
like a crime scene.
Glasses.
Stains.
Crumpled blankets.
That careless “we’ll clean it up later.”
I tried to keep it together.
Back straight.
Gaze calm.
Even though inside—I was completely gone.
We started getting off the plane.
All in sunglasses—because of the pupils.
No mistaking it.
I stopped by the crew.
“I…” — inhale — “I apologize if we were rude or out of line…”
Hic.
I quickly covered my mouth.
Blushed.
“Sorry…”
The flight attendant smiled softly.
Not a trace of judgment.
“Have a wonderful stay, miss.”
I nodded.
Very carefully.
God forbid I open my mouth again.
Turned.
Took a few steps.
Then suddenly caught myself.
“Thank you for the flight…” — quieter now, but sincere — “for taking care of us.”
A pause.
“Have a good flight back.”
She smiled a little wider.
“Thank you, miss.”
Just go already, for fuck’s sake — Hades.
Right.
And I turned.

Down below—everything was already set.
Right by the steps.
The guys whistled almost in sync.
“Oooh—”
“Now that’s—”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Aaron drawled, already sizing them up.
And yeah.
Three Porsche 911 Turbos.
One—dark blue, deep like the ocean at night.
And two—chameleons.
The color shifting in the light, catching the sun, sliding from green into purple, then bronze—like the car’s alive.
Sleek.
Charged.
Dangerously beautiful.
The drivers were already standing nearby.
Calm.
Composed.
The kind you can tell—don’t just drive.
Racers.
Professional racers.
I licked my lips without thinking.
“Hic—”
I swayed on my heels.
Too high.
The asphalt under my feet felt softer than it should.
I leaned into him slightly, just to keep my balance.
The warmth of his hand brought me right back in control.
“Just don’t fart,” Aaron said calmly.
A second.
And that was it.
Explosion.
They burst out laughing.
Loud.
Shameless.
Absolutely unfiltered.
I tried to hold it together.
I really did.
Pressed my lips tight.
Turned away.
But—
“God…”
It hit me too.
I tried to suppress the smile, but it was impossible.
So stupid.
And so funny.
Josh went red instantly.
“You guys—”
He let go of me and practically bolted for the car.
“I hate you guys.”
“Yeah, sure. Mr. It’s the beans,” Jonathan snorted.
I pouted.
“Well, great…”
And right then Jonathan leaned down.
Scooped me up into his arms.
Effortless.
Like I weighed nothing.
The world tilted slightly.
But differently now.
Calm.
Steady.
I settled in closer, pressing into him.
He smelled clean—something warm, familiar.
He walked confidently, unhurried, like there was all the time in the world.
The guys were shouting behind us, laughing, arguing over who was taking which car.
The sun hit my eyes.
The air felt different.
Warm.
Italian.
I closed my eyes for a second.
And smiled.
“Thank you, sweetheart…”
Quiet.
I leaned in and kissed his cheek.
Light.
He smiled slightly.
Barely noticeable.
“At your service, miss.”
And gently set me down by the car.
The door was already open.
The leather seats were warm from the sun.
That smell—new, expensive.
The engine purred quietly.
Ready.
I slid inside.
And paused for a second.
The guys were already going for the driver’s seats.
Predatory.
I narrowed my eyes.
“Boys…”
Hic.
I raised a finger, trying to look as serious as possible.
“I’m against it. This is too dangerous. You’re all drunk.”
A pause.
“No. I’m against it.”
The cars idled softly.
Too powerful.
Too alive.
“Oh come on, mooom…” Josh groaned, throwing his head back.
I couldn’t help it—I smiled.
“Yeah, I’ll be the mom,” I crossed my arms, “because I love all of you like crazy. No.”
They exchanged glances.
And then…
They stepped forward.
Formed a line.
Right in front of me.
I blinked.
All three of them.
Like they were made for it.
White shirts—slightly unbuttoned.
Jeans.
Black Ray-Bans.
Beautiful.
Grown men.
And completely drunk.
“Boooys…” I was already almost laughing, “you can’t do this…”
And then—
they started.
Whining.
Actually whining.
Like puppies.
“Pleeease…”
“Come ooon…”
“We’ll be careful…”
I closed my eyes for a second.
God.
Looked at Cody.
She shrugged.
Like: your call.
I waved my hand.
“Fine.”
Silence.
“But—”
They froze.
“No going over 200.”
A second.
That’s it.
They exploded.
“Yeees!”
Jumped like kids.
And rushed me.
All at once.
Hugging me.
“I love you guys so much…”
I laughed, hugging them back.
“Please… be careful.”
The Porsches roared.
Not just sound—a dense, turbocharged punch.
Twin turbos whistled on acceleration, the exhaust cracked on lift-off.
The guys started doing donuts right on the airport grounds.
Sport Plus, stability dialed back—the rear breaks loose easier, but the electronics still keep it on a leash, not letting it go fully out of control.
Wheel at full lock, throttle in short bursts.
Rear steps out, front catches, and the car spins clean, almost on the spot.
I smiled.
“Boys…”
Cody’s driving.
Hands steady on the wheel—but I can see it, she feels the car.
I’m in the passenger seat.
Jonathan finished his spin,
straightened the wheels,
eased off the throttle—
and the Porsche, chrome catching the sun, launched hard.
Launch control.
A split second of silence—
then it slams.
Not just acceleration—pressure.
Right into the chest.
Like the air gets pushed out of you for a second.
Gears snap through fast, almost seamless—
PDK working clean, no gaps, just pull, pull, pull.
Right behind him—Josh and Aaron.
They line up.
Tight.
Too tight.
Jonathan starts playing.
He lifts slightly, lets Aaron close in—
close enough to feel the pressure—
and right when he’s about to draw level,
Jonathan smirks, flips him off out the window—
and slams it.
Kickdown.
The gearbox drops a gear, revs jump—
and he’s gone.
Aaron swears.
Foot flat.
But the electronics cut the power—
too early on the throttle, rear starts to slide,
stability steps in, trims the power—
and he loses it.
Falls back.
Josh stays clean.
Late throttle.
Smooth exit.
No panic.
And he starts closing.
We’re flying along the coast.
The road moves in waves.
The car loads and unloads under us—
suspension working, body tight, planted.
The sun cuts straight into my eyes.
The air rushes past—hot, salty, alive.
The engines don’t scream—
they pull.
Heavy. Controlled. With room to spare.
Cody shifts manually—paddles.
Click.
Again.
Perfect timing.
She holds it right in the power band, doesn’t let it fall out of it.
I can feel the car breathing under us.
Every shift.
Every grip.
Every tiny slip of the rear.
The run drains me completely.
My fingers dig into the leather.
Heart somewhere in my throat.
“God… careful…”
I’m actually scared for them.
Really.
But they hold it together.
We all do.
And then—
we’re through.
Still moving.
Still alive.
We made it.
Thank God—
everyone’s safe.
And of course…
The Porsches did two more passes—just to show off.
Right by the fountain.
Jonathan goes in first.
Sharp turn of the wheel, throttle—
rear breaks loose, but he holds the angle.
Countersteer.
Lifts slightly—back on it.
The car slides clean.
Beautiful.
Josh follows—
wider line, but cleaner.
Aaron right after—
too much throttle—
Damn.
I froze.
The car twitches, almost bites—
but he pulls it back.
Exhale.
Two full circles.
Clean.
Showy.
Drifting right by the fountain.
Water sprays out, sunlight catching it midair.
Cody and I whistled.
“Wooo!”
“Hey, boys!”
“Wooo!”
The guys stepped out of the cars.
Messy.
Heated.
Like they just stepped off a magazine cover.
Cody and I exchanged a look—and whistled again.
“Damn, boys—wooo, look at you…”

Hotel.
The room—luxurious.
Too much.
Huge.
Like a palace.
High ceilings with ornate molding, heavy chandeliers.
The light soft, golden, but something about it…
Ugh.
Damn, I don’t even know.
Cold marble floors, polished to perfection—not a single mark.
Carpets thick, sinking under your feet, swallowing every step.
Yeah, or for perverts — Hades.
I smiled.
The bed—massive.
White sheets, pulled tight, not a single crease—like no one ever sleeps in them.
Curtains—heavy, velvet, floor-length, with gold tassels.
Windows from floor to ceiling.
I stand by the window.
Look at the lake.
Calm.
Clean.
Light resting on the water so softly—like someone set it up that way on purpose.
Down below—perfect paths, trimmed bushes, people in white moving quietly.
Very quietly.
Everything… too perfect.
Ugh.
I shivered again.
A knock at the door.
Short.
Trained.
I open it.
“Miss, towels.”
A girl in uniform.
Perfect posture.
A smile—precise, practiced.
I smiled back.
“Thank you… just leave them.”
I gestured vaguely.
“Anywhere… thank you.”
She nodded, stepped in carefully, placed the towels like even that was part of a ritual.
Not a single extra movement.
Not a sound.
And left.
Quietly.
The door closed almost without a click.
I was alone.
Damn.
My back started itching.
Irritation.
From the inside.
“God…”
I ran my hand over my shoulder, like I could just shake the feeling off.
This polished luxury was starting to make me nauseous.
Too pristine.
Too “perfect.”
Too—
Ah.
I kept scratching.
It was unbearable.
You can’t spill tea here.
Can’t leave your things lying around.
Can’t be real.
I looked at the lake again.
Beautiful.
But not mine.
“I should’ve rented a normal place…”
Where the floor creaks.
Where it smells like wood.
Where you can walk barefoot.
Where no one’s watching how you set your cup down.
I exhaled.
Turned away from the window.
Shivered.
“Damn…”
Couldn’t take it anymore.
“Jonathan!”
Knock at the door.
“Jonathan!”
Again.
“Jonathan!”
Finally, the door opened.
“Listen—”
but the energy just dropped.
He stood there, slightly hunched.
Face paler than usual.
I winced.
“Damn… you gonna be sick?”
“Yeah…”
He ran a hand over his mouth, wiped it with the back of his hand.
I froze for a second.
Poor thing.
“Uh…”
I stepped forward.
“Let me… I…”
And right then—I flinched.
My whole body tensed.
I started shaking.
I hate this.
Care—this kind of care. Physical. Sticky.
Where you have to wipe something, clean something, be close when someone’s physically unwell.
It makes my stomach turn.
I’m insanely squeamish.
Even the thought of vomit makes everything inside me tighten.
And getting close to it…
I stopped.
Froze.
He had already turned and rushed back inside.
I muttered under my breath.
“Jonathan!”
“Yeah?” he called from somewhere in the bathroom.
I leaned against the doorframe.
“Listen…”
A pause.
“I don’t want to burden the guys.”
He leaned out.
“Maybe tell them… I’m thinking of moving into a small place nearby.”
I shrugged.
“Rent a room from locals.”
“What?” he straightened. “Why?”
I looked away.
“I don’t want to stay somewhere like this.”
Silence.
He looked at me more carefully.
“Come on…”
“Jonathan.”
A pause.
“Alright. You mind waiting till tomorrow? I’ll take you there.”
I exhaled.
Softer now.
“Thank you.”
He nodded.
“What do I need to do to make it easier for you?”
“Go change. Then we’ll go swimming.”
I froze for a second.
Then smiled.
“Okay.”
“Wait—just don’t go into Cody’s room.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“She and Aaron are fucking nonstop. Cody got it into her head that it brings in positive energy.”
I smiled.
“Got it.”
I went back to my room to change.
I just wanted to throw on a sack.
Without Caleb, I don’t want any extra attention.
I stood in front of the mirror.
Damn, you’ve really puffed up — Hades.
I took a deep breath.
“It’s just my cycle. It’s always like this before my period.”
Jesus, what kind of bullshit is this—if I had blood coming out of my dick I’d think I was dying — Hades.
Yeah, and every month — Mushu.
They both curled up at the same time.
Pigs.
“Sit down.”
I sat.
A small fold formed on my stomach.
Jesus, you’re thick now — Hades.
“Get lost. I’ve never been skinny. I’m beautiful the way I am. Got it?”
“Whatever you say.”
Fucking feminists—fat ass, no problem, double chin, no problem, so what the hell is a problem then? — Hades made a face and tapped his temple.
“Go to hell.”
I just wanted to collapse onto the bed and not leave.
My phone kept blowing up.
15 missed calls from Caleb.
Nazokat, throw the phone away or he’ll drive you insane.
Right.
I saluted myself and dropped onto the bed.

2:16
I woke up and shot up.
God—
I sat still.
A knock again.
Guess who — Hades.
I grimaced.
“My dear… hic… angel… hic… my little angel…”
Yeah. Got it.
I pulled on a robe.
Opened the door.
Behind it—
Caleb, leaning on Nate.
I froze.
Then shook my head.
My breath caught.
It made me remember who Nate used to be—and who he still is.
He put this above his ego—above his calculations.
He didn’t play dirty.
He didn’t judge Caleb.
He brought him to me.
I swallowed.
Nate stood straight, steady.
Caleb hung off him like a broken mannequin.
Nate is solid.
You can always rely on him.
Always.
“Hic—” Caleb.
Damn.
I snapped out of it and tried to figure out what to do.
I took Caleb from him and thanked Nate silently.
“Be careful.”
I nodded.
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
Caleb could barely stand.
Drunk.
Tears started falling.
I have to admit—I missed him.
“Sweetheart…”
Caleb’s eyes were wet.
“Are you angry?”
I thought about how more than anything in the world I wanted to kill him.
How furious I was.
How humiliated I felt by his cowardice… and…
And then—
Caleb.
Damn.
My chest tightened.
There’s the Caleb the world sees.
Mr. Caleb.
The one who growls so the walls shake.
Forged out of concrete and stone.
Dried of tears by his own father.
And then there’s the real Caleb.
The one who fell.
The one who’s terrified.
Wounded. Lost.
And now—
the real drama unfolds.
This boy’s life is in my hands.
Completely.
I thought about why men are so afraid of therapy.
They know.
Every one of them knows.
The structure only holds because no one touches the beams.
Start digging—and it collapses.
That’s it.
I looked at Caleb.
Then laid him across my lap.
He cried.
And cried.
And cried.
This is not Caleb the alpha.
This is a wounded boy—
terrified he’ll lose love again
because he failed again.
Because he couldn’t do it.
Because he ruined everything.
And the little boy kept crying.
And crying.
I stroked his hair until he stopped sobbing.
Kept stroking.
Over and over.
What am I supposed to do with you…
There’s no other option.
We need Jess.

7:13
The helicopter brought Caleb’s mother straight onto the hotel grounds.
And again—I caught myself thinking—thank God we have money.
Any whim—and it’s done.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
I looked at Jess.
She was in a light floral dress.
I know that style.
Caleb loves dresses like that.
My chest tightened.
She looked… happy.
Thank God we pulled her out of that monster’s hands.
Mike takes good care of her.
Of course he’s right there, never leaving her side.
I kissed him on the cheek.
“Hi, dear.”
“Hello, miss.”
“Michael.”
“Yeah?”
“Please keep an eye on Mr. Nate. Make sure he’s okay.”
“Of course, miss.”
“You don’t mind if I take Jess?”
“Of course not.”
He reached for her.
And I immediately turned away.
I didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.
“Jess, I’ll be waiting for you in the room.”

7:20
Caleb lifted his eyes.
“Mom.”
He rushed to her like a child.
That must be how he did it back then.
She’s so angry at him—and still so soft.
The door creaked softly, and Nazokat stepped out, leaving mother and son alone.
Caleb and his mom turned on cartoons.
She ran her fingers through his hair—
the same way she did when he was five.
And then seven.
Caleb’s face shifted.
And then she stopped.
His father used to beat her even for that.
Caleb clenched his fists.
God, he’s furious.
He hates his father.
That filthy pig.
His mother is a real angel.
“Hush, my darling, hush… it’s alright… Cody-mody…”
Tears started slipping down Caleb’s face.
He pressed himself into her.
That nickname—
she gave it to him when he was three.
He used to repeat everything like a parrot.
“Cody-mody, Cody-mody…”
From his favorite cartoon about a parrot.
Caleb completely fell apart.
And his mother gently pulled him closer,
singing a lullaby in her soft, angelic voice.
Caleb cried.
And cried.
And cried.
How can his father be so cruel?
His mother is so beautiful.
So kind.
How could he beat her?
How could he do that?
Caleb slipped back into childhood.
His body started shaking with fear.
His temperature spiked instantly.
Heat.
“Mom…”
A gentle angel in a floral dress
laid him down on the white bed
and sat beside him.
“Don’t worry, Caleb… you’ll be all better very soon.
You won’t even notice how fast you get better.”
Caleb smiled.
A knock at the door.
Caleb pulled himself together instantly.
Ready.
Alert.
Her full curls slipped in first—
then that familiar, mischievous smile.
“Nazokat.”
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“How are you holding up?”
“I’ll… go get some water.”
And Jess stepped out.
Caleb reached for her hand.
She gently—but clearly—didn’t let him take it.
Of course.
He lowered his eyes.
She’s still angry.
Caleb started crying again.
What an idiot.
Such an idiot.
Nazokat stood up.
Straightened.
“Pathetic.”
Caleb froze.
Stared at her.
She’s not going to comfort him?
Nazokat raised an eyebrow.
“Oh no. I didn’t throw you out on the street—that’s generous enough.”
“Get up.”
Caleb froze again.
“But, sweetheart… I don’t feel well. I have a fever.”
“Really?”
“Yes—look, the thermometer—”
She grabbed his jeans and yanked the belt off.
Caleb jumped off the bed instantly.
“Sweetheart—”
He raised his hands, slowly backing toward the wall.
“Sweetheart…”
And then—
his beloved suddenly stepped toward the door.
The door opened—
and Caleb’s father walked in.
Caleb’s fists clenched instantly.
“What are you doing here?”
“Came to help.”
“Came to help?! Came to help?!”
Nazokat slipped out through the door—
and it clicked shut behind her.
Hallway
Not two cats—
but same method.
Lock them in one room
until they sort it out.
Yeah, or until they kill each other — Hades.
I shrugged.
Let them.
Alright.
Tequila.
Boys.
Italy.
I’m going.

Bar
Alan Walker & Meek — Dancing in Love
I’m dancing and drinking.
Dancing and drinking.
God, I love that man—it’s insane.
But what the hell am I supposed to do with that bastard…
Don’t forgive him — Hades.
Wasn’t planning to.
And I kept spinning.
“Mmm… we dancing in love…”
“Nothing feels the same…”
“One night…”
I kept drinking.
Kept spinning.
Hic.
Oops—
I almost fell.
Nate caught me.
I swallowed.
Damn.
Nate—composed, strong.
In a black suit.
Flawless.
No. No. No, Nazokat.
Easy.
Easy.
Stay away from him.
That’s the alcohol—don’t fall for it.
I pulled myself together.
Damn—it wasn’t just that.
Nate… isn’t Nate anymore.
I hiccuped.
Nate is now—
No.
Something.
I—
He—
Something—
Fuck…
Nate is Caleb.
I stared like I’d lost my mind.
Oh God.
Something flickered in Nate’s eyes.
Shit.
While Caleb was falling apart,
his strength—like a butterfly—left him.
And Nate didn’t waste time.
He rose.
Sharper. More predatory than before.
But what’s worse—
he took Caleb’s strength.
I started backing away.
“Where are you going, sweetheart?”
I swallowed.
“Miiike—”
He was there instantly.
I screamed:
“Jonathan! Jonathan!”
He staggered toward me.
“Jonathan—”
I looked at him, eyes full of tears.
“Jonathan, please get me out of here, sweetheart…”
I need a man.
I’ll fall apart if I’m not held by a man.
If strong arms don’t shield me from the world—
If his rough stubble doesn’t scrape my skin when he kisses me—
I won’t make it without that strength.
I’ll fall apart.
I’ll just break.
Jonathan picked me up and carried me to the room.
One more second—
and the door opened.

On the floor—two monsters.
Father and son.
Both in love with one woman.
I swallowed.
Caleb—bruised.
But his father—
hard to even look at.
Still powerful.
Like a mountain.
I swallowed.
Good thing I’m not easily scared.
Damn… this man is terrifying.
I looked at Caleb.
At Jonathan.
At Caleb’s father.
Three men.
All different.
And every one of them would kill for me.
Damn.
What am I supposed to do with all these madmen…
1:15
I woke up and walked to the window.
Caleb was up instantly.
“Kitten…”
I swallowed—and burst into tears again.
“Caleb…”
He rushed to me.
Lifted me into his arms.
“My angel…”
He kept kissing me.
Again and again.
My tears mixed with his.
And I thought—
my heart was going to break.
Damn bastard…
How am I supposed to say no to him…
God…
Caleb pulled back slightly.
“My angel…”
“Mmm…”
“I’ll fix everything. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
I broke down.
“Idiot—how are you going to do that?”
“I talked to my father. I’ll handle it, sweetheart.”
I swallowed.
“Caleb… accepting isn’t the same as forgiving.
You understand that, right?”
“Sweetheart, I didn’t forgive him.
But we made a deal.”
I paused.
Hmm.
That’s a smart move.
“Just don’t forgive him.”
“Don’t worry, angel.”
“He’s going to therapy. Until everything is resolved—he won’t go near my mom.”
I thought that by then Jess would probably marry Michael—
but I didn’t say it out loud.
“Alright…”
“And you?”
Caleb took my hands in his.
He flinched.
“Sweetheart… I’m scared as hell, but…”
He straightened.
“I know I can do this.
I’ll handle it.”
“Hmm… are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ll hold both sides.
At the end of the day, it’s nothing new—we cut it off and move forward.”
I got scared.
“But what about therapy?”
“Don’t worry, angel…”
He kissed my hands.
“I’ll go through it.
But at the same time—I’ll shut the flow down.”
He paused.
“I’ll regulate it.”
Wow.
Caleb lit up.
“So… are we good, angel?”
“Mm-hm.”
Caleb straightened.
I tensed.
“What is it?”
“I’m just thinking…”
A pause.
“…how I’m going to get you to sleep with me now.”
I froze.
Then it hit me.
And I burst out laughing.
“You bastard!”
“You shameless man!”
And Caleb jumped onto the bed—pulling me down with him.