Chapter One
Shattered Homecoming
KATRINA'S POV
My fingers trembled around the paper, but the smile breaking across my lips was steady, radiant—like the sun finally spilling through storm clouds. "Best Graduating Student—Class of 2026." The words glowed brighter than ink, brighter than anything I had ever seen.
A laugh slipped out, half sob, half joy. This wasn't just my degree. It was my father's dream. My brother's hope. William's promise.
William—my childhood sweetheart, my protector, my best friend. Every late-night call, every word of encouragement, every shove forward had led me here.
"Katrina, you'll go far. I'll make sure of it." His voice haunted the edges of my mind even now.
"Stay relaxed, we're landing in five minutes," the hostess suddenly echoed through the communicators.
Home. The word pulsed through me, sharp and overwhelming. My chest squeezed as I whispered into my hand, "Dad… Brother… I'm back. William, please still be waiting."
Soon we landed and the bright day welcomed me.
Dragging my luggage through the airport lobby, my eyes darted across the crowd. Father's crushing embrace, my brother's teasing smirk, William's steady gaze—I could already picture them cutting through the chaos.
But no one came.
Faces blurred. Minutes bled into hours. By the fourth, dread coiled around my lungs.
"Maybe… maybe they're waiting at home." My voice cracked as I flagged down a taxi.
Familiar streets rushed by, both changed and unchanged. My chest buzzed with anxious hope until the mansion gates appeared—towering, lined with black cars and men in tuxedos standing stiff as statues.
Ice crawled into my veins and suddenly my suitcase slipped from my hand.
We weren't rich enough for the rich to visit and there was no way my father wasn't friends with criminals. I need to ask my father.
"Dad!" My voice broke the air.
Before I could venture in, two of the criminal-looking men pulled me backwards, clamping their hands around my arms like iron. "Don't ruin the Chairman's fun today," one growled.
Chairman?
"Let me go…I need to see my father!"
"Shut the hell up! You should be grateful he had always spared Draco, Theresa, and Theron. But this time around, Mr. Will Adams will not."
Will Adams.
I felt the name replaying in my head over and over. No. Not William. William would never do that. He's my childhood sweetheart.
"It can't be him…"
Suddenly, a scream tore from inside the mansion, jolting me outta my thought and it was…my father's.
"Dad" My chest constricted as I wrenched free, nails splitting against the gate as I shoved inside.
And froze.
Father writhed on the marble, fists pummeling him bloody. Mother crouched over him, shielding him with her shaking frame. And above them was—William.
Not my William. This man's eyes were steel, his hand steady as he raised a gun.
"Don't!" My scream splintered staring as his finger pulled back the trigger.
And then…the shot exploded. It rang one…then twice.
I watched my mother jerk, crumpling as blood fanned across the floor.
"Mom!" I dropped beside her, clutching her still-warm hands. "Wake up, please!" But I didn't get a response. Her eyes stared past me. Empty. Gone.
"No!" I pressed my forehead to hers, sobbing until the sound scraped my throat raw.
"Stop! Please!" Father's cry pulled me back.
I stumbled to him, wrapping his battered body. "Don't hurt him! William…why?" I bit down on my lips, the truth was staring right at me, but why I'm I in so much hurt that it had to be him? Why can't I believe he is the one?
I collapsed at his feet, forehead to the ground. "Please! Kill me instead! Let my father go!"
He turned, silent, as if I were nothing.
I grabbed his leg, my hands crawling at his leg as if it were my lifeline, my nails digging deep. "Don't do this! I beg you!"
"Enough." His voice vibrated through the room—cold and detached with no warmth attached— as he flung me off him.
Almost immediately, five men rushed forward and began dragging me back, my nails carving blood into the marble.
"Wait." William's voice rang out and immediately the men stopped in their track, pausing and holding me suspended.
Williams' eyes met mine—empty, merciless. This wasn't the boy who once whispered forever. This was a monster.
"Leave her" He ordered and I was immediately hurled down. Pain cracked my knees as I crawled to him, my fingers clawing at his shoe.
"William… please." My voice rasped.
He turned to me and before I could move he pressed the barrel of his gun to my forehead and time stilled. Then, with cruel ease, he traced it down my cheek, my throat, my chest. "You've grown, Katrina. Grown beautiful. Enticing."
I felt tears welling up my eyes as the promise I'd held on too for six years rang in my head "I'll protect you forever, Katrina." His promise mocked me.
"Sadly, you'll watch your father die today," he said flatly. "A man who can't repay debts deserves no mercy."
"No!" I clutched tighter. "Take me instead! I'll do anything!"
"I don't need another liability."
"I won't be! I'll serve you….I can serve you in bed. I'll be your Mistress…Please!"
His gaze lingered on me and for a heartbeat, silence. Then his lips curved as he muttered "A good deal. Interestingly, who could have thought this is what your father's sacrifices made—an educated slut."
That stung my heart and the tears finally rolled down my cheeks "Will…"
"Enough. Let him go." He ordered, his gaze directed to those still beating up father.
The men stepped back and father sagged, coughing blood.
"Father!" I held him, tears dripping over his broken face.
His hand lifted weakly to my cheek as his lips trembled a smile. "Stay calm… Katrina. I'm proud of you."
"No!" I sobbed as I pulled him to my chest. "I'm sorry father…I failed you"
Suddenly, the door crashed open.
"Mother!" My brother's voice ripped the air. Theron dropped beside her lifeless body, shaking her as if love could wake her. His gaze snapped to Father. "What have they done?" He choked as he cried clutching on to mother and I followed suit not able to hold on to my emotions anymore. My mother was gone…dead
Theron's gaze snapped to William and even I could see the rage flaring his system. "I'll kill you!" He muttered as he rushes toward William but before he could get to him, William's gun whipped toward him, aiming right for his head and Theron froze in place.
"NO!" immediately I gently placed Dad's head down as I threw myself between them immediately,"Please! He's my brother! I already agreed to be your mistress—don't kill him!"
Theron froze. "What? Mistress?" His voice cracked with disbelief.
"Please, don't fight him." My voice shredded.
"Never!" Tears streaked his face. "I'll never let you become a whore for this blood sucking demo…" My hand struck before I knew it. The crack echoed. He staggered, stunned. Almost immediately, I hit him again until he fell.
"Don't you dare insult my master!" My body shook, my heart tearing apart, staring at the hurt and tears welling up in Theron's eyes. He must feel sorry for me…disappointed..
"Good girl." William's voice curled behind me.
"Enough drama. We're leaving." He growled
"No!" Theron clutched my ankle, sobbing. "Don't go!"
I kicked him off, choking. "Take Father to the hospital! Bury Mother if I can't. Please."
I kissed his forehead. "I love you. Be strong… I'm sorry."
Hands clasped around my arm before I could pull him into a hug and the men dragged me toward the door. I didn't fight. My body was hollow.
They dragged me into one of the cars, dumping me inside and few seconds later, the car speeds off.
The car screeched to a halt, yanking me out of the nightmare I couldn't wake from. My body pitched forward, forehead nearly cracking the seat in front of me. For a moment it felt almost like I was still in our blood-soaked living room, watching my mother's body fall with lifeless eyes.
"Out," a voice barked as the door ripped open and daylight poured in.
Hands like iron clamped my arms and hauled me forward. My legs stumbled, but it was clear they didn't care if I walked or dragged because I was gagging mid walking and mid being dragged.
William walked ahead, composed, untouchable, his silhouette sharp as a blade. And immediately we walked into the mansion—which I give not even a slightest damn about—every maid along the corridor collapsed to their knees, foreheads pressed to the floor.
"Welcome, Chairman," their voices chimed in unison.
They bowed like worshippers before a god and he didn't even spare them a glance and he walkes past them into a room.
I braced myself, expecting to be flung into his room, tossed like an offering at his feet. But instead, one of his men shoved me into a different chamber and the door slammed shut immediately.
Silence. I stared around as I drop to the ground. I crumpled into the corner, folding into myself as sobs ripped loose, unstoppable.
"I'm sorry, Mom," I whispered, rocking as the words spilled over me. "I'm sorry for failing you. I'm sorry."
The chant circled endlessly, draining what little air I had left.
I knew crying wouldn't bring her back. It wouldn't heal Father. It wouldn't protect Theron, and it wouldn't stop Will…but…but..
"There's no use crying," I whispered to the walls, wiping off my tears and tried to steady my heartbeat and emotions.
Just then, the door creaked open and my body jolted. Before I could comprehend anything, ten maids filed in, moving in perfect alignment. Two dragged suitcases behind them and I wondered if they were here to kill me and take my corpse away but instead their voices merged into one chilling echo:
"The Chairman has assigned us to prepare you for the night. You are to be in his room at ten o'clock sharp."
My throat closed. I had almost forgotten. I was William's sex slave—what a fate.
Without waiting, they all walked towards me, two of them filled the wardrobe with dresses while the rest swarmed me. Cold hands seized my wrists, tugging me toward the bathroom.
They stripped me bare and helped me into the bath tub. Warm water closed around my skin, but no comfort seeped in, even with the steaming flavoring scent of the rose petals. Almost immediately, hands washed me with surgical care, scrubbing every inch as though cleansing me for sacrifice.
When they were finished, they helped me out and covered me up with silk robes, only to be peeled away for creams and oils. Rose-scented lotion slicked my skin, brushes dragged through my hair, a dryer humming against my skull until every strand fell into place.
Then they helped me into a red-seductive short dress which cut low at the chest, clinging like a lover I didn't want. It was clear it was a Lingerie masquerading as clothing.
The maid suddenly stepped back and bowed their heads again " We are done ma'am. Please remember to report to the Chairman in five minutes." Then they vanished, making use of the door with their footsteps fading and silence rushed back in.
I stared at the mirror. My chest rose and fell shakily. Makeup had sculpted me into someone I didn't recognize.
I had never dressed like this. Never exposed myself this way. Never given myself to anyone.
I had saved myself for him. For William. Naïve enough to believe he would be my first, my last, my everything. That was why I turned away others, why I clung to innocence.
Now? Now I wished I had given it away to anyone—any stranger, any beggar—because it would have been better than this. Better than walking willingly into the arms of my family's murderer.
My throat ached as I swallowed. I rose to my feet and made my way to his room, letting my memory guild me. I clearly remembered, he went into the room third from mine.
I stopped before the third door down, knuckles trembling as I knocked.
"Come in." His voice—stern, commanding—curled my stomach into knots.
I pushed the door open and immediately, smoke slammed into me, heavy and bitter, stinging my throat.
Will was lounged on a sofa, cigarette dangling between his fingers as smoke swirled around him like a poisoned halo.
I coughed, choking. My body folded forward as my hands clasped my mouth.
Fix your stupid allergy and you better get used to it." He scoffed, flicking ash into the tray. "
My chest heaved as I fought for breath.
With a groan, he crushed the ember dead in the glass and rose. He gave me one last hard glare before he disappeared into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind him.
I let out a bitter laugh under my breath. What could surprise me anymore? A killer could do anything. Smoking, drinking—those were the least of it.
My fingers tangled together, restless, my nerves trembling. I had never felt this unmoored. It was my first time after all and was much as I wanted not to be, I was nervous…and scared. I knew he wasn't gonna be gentle, that would be a wishful thinking.
The door clicked open and before I could think, his hands seized me, slamming my back against the wall. Air shot from my lungs as his mouth crashed against mine.
For a fleeting heartbeat, I let myself ravel in it, it was the kiss I once dreamed of—our first kiss. But the thought burned away immediately and I shoved it down.
His hands tore at the straps of my dress, sliding them off my shoulders and the fabric fell to the floor in a whisper.
Heat scorched my cheeks as his eyes roamed my body lustfully. I squeezed my eyes shut and kissed him back, trying to bury the shame clawing through me.
His hands cupped my boobs, kneading them roughly before his mouth found them, his tongue swirling around my nipples as he bit hard at intervals. I threw my head back, a broken moan slipping past my lips.
Then, without warning, he turned me around, bending me forward against the wall. I felt the hard bulge press against me, and I didn't need anyone to tell me what it was. My thoughts spiraled—this was it. I was losing the last shred of my dignity.
His grip tightened around my stomach as he bent me further, trying to push against my entrance. Suddenly, he froze, his breath hitching. His voice came out rough, almost disbelieving. "Virgin… you're a virgin?"
I nodded, unable to form the words.
He chuckled low against my ear, his whisper chilling me. " Intriguing but that makes it better… it was a great deal after all."
He let out a deep groan, his grip tightening on my waist as he forced his way in. Pain ripped through me, my body screaming as I felt myself tear, blood trailing down my legs. I bit down hard on a scream as he started thrusting hard, not pausing, not giving me a chance to breathe.
He changed positions again and again, unrelenting. My legs wobbled beneath me, my body sore, but he didn't stop until finally he let go inside me. Then, just as suddenly, he tossed me aside like I was nothing more than a rag doll.
I tried to steady myself as I hit the floor but my body kept convulsing as my chest rose and fell in uneven gasps. I was raw, broken, and yet still teetering on a release my body craved but never reached. I felt sick to my stomach.
"Get dressed. Get out," Will barked.
I scrambled for my nightgown, trembling hands pulling it over me as fast as I could. My legs betrayed me when I tried to stand; they buckled beneath me, and I collapsed to the floor. I bit down a cry and crawled toward the door. My hand shook violently as I reached for the handle.
Just as I was about to crawl out, his voice stopped me. "Tomorrow… wear your underwear. I don't like my food bare."
"Yes…Chairman" I choked out, though my voice shook. I shut the door close and crawled the rest of the way to my room.
The moment I slipped inside, I slammed the door shut and dragged myself to the bathroom. I turned on the water and bathed myself over and over again, scrubbing at my skin, avoiding touching down there even though it burned like fire. The steam only made it worse.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to clean my vagina, to wash away what felt ruined. It was wider now, sore, and each touch made my chest tighten. A sob pressed at my throat, but I swallowed it back. I wasn't a virgin anymore, and I wasn't married.
I stumbled out of the bathroom, threw on fresh clothes, and collapsed onto my bed, clutching my pillow tight to my chest. I could feel my stomach churning with disgust.