CHAPTER 1: THE NIGHTMARE
It was a chilly autumn evening, the kind that made you want to gather 'round the dinner table with loved ones. The aroma of roasting vegetables wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of laughter and chatter.
Leslie's heels clicked on the polished marble floor as she hurried toward the dinner table. The aroma of roasted vegetables and her husband's favorite beef Wellington wafted through the air, teasing her senses.
"Almost ready, dear!" she called out to John, who was working late in his study.
The family was gathering for dinner, and Leslie's excitement was palpable. Their sons, Damien and Dominik, 17-year-old twins, were arguing good-naturedly in the living room.
Just as Leslie entered the dining room, a deafening gunshot shattered the evening calm.
Time froze.
Leslie's heart plummeted. She spun around, her eyes locked on the study door.
"John!" she screamed, rushing toward the door.
Damien and Dominik exchanged horrified glances, their faces pale.
"Mom!" they shouted in unison, racing after her.
Leslie flung open the study door, and her world crumbled.
John lay lifeless on the floor, a pool of crimson spreading from his chest. Dave, John's brother, stood over him, gun still clutched in his hand. His eyes were vacant, mouth agape.
Leslie's scream pierced the air, shattering the silence.
Damien and Dominik stumbled into the room, their faces contorted in anguish.
"Dad!" they wailed, rushing to their father's side.
Leslie collapsed beside John's body, cradling his head in her lap.
"No...no...no!" she wailed, tears streaming down her face.
The twins' cries echoed through the house, mingling with Leslie's despair.
The scene was chaos, a nightmare come to life.
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Leslie's mind reeled, unable to comprehend the horror before her. She clutched John's lifeless body, her thoughts racing.
"How could this happen? Why Dave? Why now?"
Damien's face contorted in rage and grief. "Uncle Dave...how could you?"
Dominik's eyes welled up with tears. "Dad...no...please don't leave us."
Dave's expression remained vacant, his voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to...I didn't mean to."
The scene blurred as shock gave way to anguish.
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Days passed in a haze, culminating in the funeral.
The mourners gathered, their faces somber. Leslie, flanked by Damien and Dominik, stood resilient.
As the eulogy ended, Leslie's voice rose.
"I call for a house court," she declared, her eyes blazing. "To determine the fate of Dave, the murderer."
The room fell silent.
Dave's family exchanged fearful glances.
Leslie's brother, James, stepped forward. "The accused will face our judgment."
The house court convened, with Leslie, James, and other family members presiding.
Leslie's voice trembled with rage. "Dave, you took my husband, my rock. You shattered our family."
Dave's wife pleaded, "Spare my husband...mercy, please."
Leslie's gaze hardened. "Blood for blood. That's the only justice."
Damien's eyes locked onto Dave, his jaw clenched. "I want him to pay."
Dominik's tears fell silently.
James intervened, "Leslie, consider—"
"No!" Leslie cut him off. "I demand vengeance. Dave's family must pay the price."
Dave's wife sobbed, "Take our daughter, Rose...please...spare Dave."
Leslie's eyes narrowed. She want them to pay and looking atheir daughter as our slave for life would be a great revenge.
"Rose will serve our new heir, Damien. Bound to him, forever."
The room erupted into chaos.
Dave's family wailed, while Leslie's determination hardened.
Justice would be served.
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Rose's world shattered as her mother's words hung in the air.
"Take our daughter, Rose...please...spare Dave."
She felt like a pawn in a cruel game.
"What's happening? Why are they doing this?"
Rose's mind reeled, memories flashing before her eyes.
Happy moments with her family, laughter with her parents, and now...
"Now, I'm being traded like a possession."
Fear gripped her heart.
"What will happen to me? Why Damien?"
She recalled whispers about the twins, Damien and Dominik.
"Damien, the older one, is ruthless...cruel."
Rose's eyes welled up with tears.
"Why did Dad do this? Why did he take uncle John's life?"
Guilt and shame washed over her.
"Is this my fault? Did I deserve this?"
Her mother's sobs echoed through the room, but Rose felt numb.
A sense of resignation settled in.
"I have no choice. I'm bound to Damien now."
As the reality sunk in, Rose's thoughts turned defiant.
"I won't give up. I'll survive this. I'll find a way."
Determination flickered within her.
"But what about Damien? Will he break me?"
Rose's eyes searched the room, locking onto Damien's figure.
He stood tall, his gaze piercing.
Their eyes met, and Rose felt a shiver run down her spine.
"What does he see in me? A pawn? A prisoner?"
Their gazes held, a silent understanding passing between them.
Rose knew her fate was sealed.
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Damien's gaze locked onto Rose, his expression unreadable.
"He's really doing this," he thought. "Trading his own daughter to save his life."
A mix of emotions swirled within him.
"Vengeance, satisfaction, but also...curiosity."
Damien's eyes narrowed.
"Rose. Innocent, naive. A pawn in our twisted game."
He recalled his father's words.
"Protect our family, Damien. At all costs."
Damien's jaw clenched.
"I'll make sure she understands her place."
As he gazed at Rose, a spark of intrigue ignited.
"She's not like the others. Fear, resilience...and something more."
Damien's thoughts drifted to his twin, Dominik.
"Brother, I'll make sure justice is served. For Father's sake."
A hint of sadness crept in.
"Father's gone. Now it's my turn to lead."
Damien's resolve hardened.
"I'll mold Rose into what I need. Obedience, loyalty...and perhaps..."
A whispered thought.
"...perhaps something more."
As the room's tension dissipated, Damien's gaze never wavered.
Rose felt his eyes on her, a shiver running down her spine.
Their silent understanding was clear.
"I own you now, Rose."
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