He kissed me once and disappeared. Now he wants to protect me—but who will protect me from him?

Janica’s world came crashing down when she lost her mother to cancer, leaving her with nothing but a low-paying job and mounting bills. No family, no support—just a hollow existence. She’s long since given up on love, convinced it’s a luxury she can’t afford.

Then, Jason stepped into her life. Dark, powerful, and dangerously charming, he offered her comfort when she needed it most. He kissed her, promised he wouldn’t leave, and then disappeared without a trace—leaving her heartbroken and alone, with only a memory of a man who had once been her anchor.

Now, Jason’s back—and he’s determined to make things right. But his return isn’t just about rekindling their love. He’s a man marked by secrets, betrayal, and enemies that would stop at nothing to tear them apart. Jason will do whatever it takes to protect Janica, even if it means putting himself in harm’s way. But as the shadows of his past close in, Janica starts to wonder: can she trust him again, or is his love just another dangerous game?

Betrayed once, can she ever truly heal from the wounds he left behind? Or will their love break her completely? As danger surrounds them and the line between protector and prisoner blurs, Janica is forced to confront her deepest fears—and the truth about the man she thought she knew.

The kind of stillness that didn't feel like peace, but aftermath. Like the silence left behind after something had already broken… and you just hadn't found the pieces yet.


I lay on the narrow mattress,eyes wide open, though I couldn't feel them blinking. The weight of everything—the notebook, the mask, the letter—pressed down harder than the bandages.


Somewhere deep inside me, something had shifted.


And now, I wasn't sure what version of myself would rise from it.


Chapter 20 - Quiet After The Storm