POV: Natalie

One kill was all it took to seal my fate.

Now I’m the villain in a story I never chose to be part of.

Natalie, keep it moving!

The voice in my head was louder, fierce and more commanding. It sounded nothing like me. But that was all the push I needed.

My breath came in short, shaky bursts as I planted one foot after the other on the ground, moving as fast as I dared, and blocking the hurried grunts behind me.

‘Natalie, get back here!’

But I dared not look back.

Just as I reached the gates, the world tilted, catching my feet as I slipped. Before I could get a grasp and save myself, I hit the ground hard.

My escape? Yeah, I’d imagined it a thousand times, but somehow, it always ends this same way.

How do I outrun murder?

“Miss Natalie, it's been over 30 minutes….” Danielle’s voice was soft but

held a ting of urgency, pulling me from my haunting thoughts.

“Just a few more minutes, Danielle,” I murmured, still fixed on my spot.

“You know, I envy you, Danielle…” I said minutes later , shielding myself

from the harsh kiss of the sun. Danielle turned to me, eyes wide like I had lost my mind.

“I mean, look around you, you have the freedom to enjoy all of this, every…single….day. But me…”

I trailed off before the words could betray me.

“Miss Natalie….I….” She began to say but stopped.

Reading through her thoughts, I averted my gaze from her and allowed them wander in misery.

‘I wish I had the life I crave. And Dani… stop calling me ‘Miss.’ Just talk to me

like you would talk to your friend…your best friend.”

A faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes flashed on her lips. “Old habits

die hard, Miss Na…. Natalie. You know that.”

“But I don't want anything about me to be a habit. I just want to be….human,” I whispered, more to myself than her, as my eyes searched every corner around us.

There’s nothing human about being a member of the Ramirez household. His gaze has always haunted me, even when my eyes were shut.

He never needed to shout, just one look was enough to make anyone feel like it was a privilege to exist and breathe the same air he does.

I turn twenty-one soon, but it doesn’t feel like I’ve truly lived a single day.

And the only reason I was allowed to attend college like everyone else, was because I agreed not to mingle.

I remember the dread that had set in at the thought of a broad-shouldered man in black, standing just outside my classroom door, and keeping a close watch just in case I tried to blend in.

My social life was as dry as toast and it wasn’t even by my making.

I tried to rebel. I did.

But no one challenges Don Ramirez, not even me his daughter.

So yeah, this is the life of a murderer. And just like that, my life has become as torturous as a murderer’s. Not a secret, or a treasure.

I was still lost in thoughts when my gaze drifted to the far side of the estate, and there he was, his eyes locked on mine. The strange Demi-godlike looking gardener that made me feel inexplicably nostalgic.

For a moment our eyes locked, not moving at all, like we knew if this moment ended, we would return to a reality that we didn’t want to be in.

Suddenly, his expression shifted, still watching me but different.

It wasn't threatening or kind, it was something in between intense and awareness. Like he could see everything I had buried inside, or worse knew what I had done, or who I really am.

The bell tower rang faintly from the far edge of the gate, pulling my senses back. My neck ached like something invisible was choking me. I quickly turned to Danielle as she gave me a knowing nod.

I turned to look at the opposite house again but he was gone, and a sudden wave of disappointment filled me instantly.

“We should go, it's almost time for him to get back.” I heard Dani say to me.

But instead of leaving with her, I stood there, unable to move my feet.

Having walked a few steps ahead of me, Danielle finally turned but her brows furrowed when she saw me standing at the same spot that I had been all this while.

“What's wrong, Miss Nat? We need to hurry, he'll be here any

minute.”

“I have no idea,” I whispered the lies, hoping she believed them.

My heart thumped in my chest like it was in a ring.

Gosh, Natalie what are you thinking? There was only one answer, I can’t do this anymore.

I looked up to find a concerned Danielle coming towards me, ready to take

me by the hands, but I held on tight.

I had taken the time to calculate every staff at home, if I acted now, no one

would know enough to tell.

“Miss Natalie?” I heard Danielle’s voice this time like a faint whisper underwater, but my feet didn’t move. Not this time.

You only live once right? And with that, I let my intrusive thoughts win, dashing off in rhythm with my racing heart.

I hadn’t even gotten past the garden gates when I slammed into a pair of firm, broad shoulders, and I quivered in their arms, fearing the very worst until I looked up, and saw him.

The gardener, he was here, not across the street, but here, holding onto me like a lifeline.

There was no time to wonder or think, so I stood there, holding my breath as he gazed at me like he was reading my soul.

His arms tightened around me, and surprisingly, I began to feel safe, until I heard the very familiar rumble that has devoured my peace all my life, sending my heart flying across seven countries, dragging my senses back from what fairy tale it had wandered into.

My undeniable desire was instantly replaced with rage, fear, and disappointment, rage for the very man standing before me.

It was all a plot, and I was the victim.

The sudden realization hit me as I MUTTERED the words before getting pulled away forcefully.

‘It’s definitely my death day today.’