The hum of the city filled the air as Clara locked up Eternal Blossoms, her little haven of petals and perfume.
The flower shop stood as a stark contrast to the concrete jungle around it—a place of life and color in a world that often felt grey. Clara wiped her hands on her apron, her mind drifting to the pile of bills waiting for her at home.
Her life was far from easy. Ever since her father's death, her stepmother, Vivian, had taken control of everything Clara held dear, including her home. Her stepsisters, Mira and Celine, treated her as an inconvenience, mocking her passion for flowers and exploiting her gentle nature. But the shop was hers-her one solace in a cruel world.
Tonight, however, the peace of her sanctuary would shatter.
As Clara turned to head home, the roar of an engine echoed through the quiet street. A sleek black SUV screeched to a halt in front of her shop. The doors opened, and several men in dark suits stepped out, their expressions cold and unyielding.
"Miss Clara?" one of them asked, his voice sharp and commanding.
Clara froze. "Y-yes?"
Before she could react, the men surrounded her. "You're coming with us."
Her heart raced as they grabbed her arms. "Wait! What's happening? I haven't done anything wrong!"
Their only response was to drag her toward the SUV. Panic surged through her, and she struggled against their grip. But her cries went unheard as they shoved her into the vehicle.
Inside, a man sat in the shadows, his presence suffocating. His piercing grey eyes met hers, and Clara felt as if the air had been knocked out of her lungs.
"Who are you working for?" he asked, his voice low and icy.
"I-I don't understand—"
He leaned forward, the dim light illuminating his chiseled features. "Don't lie to me."
Clara trembled under his gaze. "I'm not lying. I own a flower shop. That's all."
Benjamin D'Angelo studied her, his expression unreadable. His world was built on lies and betrayal, and he trusted no one. The location of her shop had been a meeting point for a traitor in his organization, and he wasn't about to let her innocence fool him.
"Take her to the estate," he ordered his men.
"No, please!" Clara pleaded, tears streaming down her face. But her protests were ignored as the SUV sped into the night, carrying her toward an uncertain fate.