It was 7:30 in the evening. Scarlett stood before the mirror in her room—dressed in black, hair tied back, no jewelry. She was ready to face whatever was coming.
Then her phone rang. It was Michael.
"Are you not going to the warehouse, right?" His voice was commanding.
"I have to go, Michael. They have photos… mine and David's."
A chilling silence.
"David?" His voice turned ice-cold.
"It was nothing. Just—"
"You kissed him?"
"No! He kissed me. I pushed him away—"
"Enough," Michael growled. "I'm at the warehouse. Stay in your room. I'm handling everything."
"But Michael—"
"Stay. Home." Every word was an order.
He hung up.
Scarlett's heart pounded fiercely.
I have to go.
If she didn't, the blackmailers would send the photos. And if Michael went alone… who knew what might happen?
She made up her mind.
Jacket on. Car keys in hand. Quietly, she slipped out of the house.
On the stairs, Devil blocked her path holding her keys.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going out."
"To the warehouse?" His eyes narrowed.
"How did you know?"
"I tracked your phone. Saw the blackmailers' message."
"Devil, you—"
"I'm not letting you go alone. Not again."
"This is my problem—"
"No. It's mine too now." He grabbed her hand. "When you're in trouble, it automatically becomes mine."
Before she could respond, Mia's voice called from below.
"Devil? Scarlett?"
They froze.
"Yes, Mom?" Devil answered.
"Where are you two going this late?"
"Just… out for coffee."
"Together?"
A suspicious pause.
"Yeah. Scarlett's stressed because of exams. I'm taking her out for fresh air."
Mia ascended, suspicion clear on her face.
"Scarlett, are you okay?"
"Yes, Didi. Just… a little stressed."
She looked into Scarlett's eyes—so much love, so much trust.
And Scarlett lied to her.
"Okay. But come back early. And… be careful."
"We will."
***
In Devil's car, driving through the dark streets.
"You shouldn't have come with me."
"And you shouldn't have gone alone."
They were silent.
Then Scarlett asked, "Did you hear what happened this afternoon?"
His jaw clenched. "David kissed you."
"I pushed him away—"
"I don't care." He gripped the steering wheel tightly. "He can't touch you."
"Devil, he's your brother—"
"Exactly. That's why he knows that I… I want you."
He stopped looking at her, focusing on the road.
"Forget it."
But she couldn't. His unfinished sentence haunted her.
***
The warehouse was old and deserted in an industrial area. Night made it more terrifying.
She spotted Michael's car outside. Empty.
"He's inside," she said.
Devil parked, and they stepped out.
Suddenly, he grabbed her hand.
"Whatever happens, stay behind me."
"Devil—"
"Please."
She nodded.
Inside, darkness engulfed them except for flickering broken lights.
"Anyone here?" Scarlett called.
Suddenly, all lights blazed alive.
Five men in black suits stood before them. Guns drawn.
In the center—Michael. Hands tied behind his back, blood dripping from his mouth.
"Michael!" Scarlett screamed.
But Devil held her back.
The man in front smiled, lighting a cigar.
"Miss Scarlett. So, you've come at last."
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"Straight to the point. I like that." He exhaled smoke. "Name's Victor. Biggest rival to your brother-in-law's business."
"Damien's?"
"Exactly. That bastard broke many of my deals, stole my clients. Now… I'm taking revenge."
"What does that have to do with me?"
Victor laughed. "Everything, sweetheart. You're family. And I know you have something I want."
"What?"
"Information. Access. And most importantly…" He looked at Michael. "Connections."
Michael glanced at her, warning in his eyes. Don't tell them anything.
"I don't know what you're talking about—"
"Don't lie!" Victor shouted. "You have money, power, connections. But you hide the most important. Why?"
Her heart pounded.
They knew. But how much?
"You think we don't know?" Victor continued. "Last year, how you mysteriously saved your sister's company from bankruptcy? How you fixed an impossible deal?"
Scarlett said nothing.
"And your boyfriend." He nodded towards Michael. "That mysterious man. Nobody knows about him. But he has power to make anyone disappear."
Devil squeezed her hand.
"What do you want?" Scarlett asked.
"Simple. Use your connections. Sabotage Damien's upcoming deal. Damage his company."
"I won't go against my family—"
"Then…" Victor pulled a gun and placed it on Michael's head.
"No!" Scarlett screamed.
Michael smiled weakly, "Scarlett... don't. I'm fine."
"Shut up!" Victor hit him with the gun.
Michael's head slumped, more blood flowing.
"Stop!" she yelled. "I'll do whatever you say."
"Good girl."
"But first, release him."
"No. First, prove it. Use your connections. Cancel that deal Damien will sign tomorrow."
She looked at Michael, who nodded slowly. Do it. Save yourself.
She took out her phone, dialed a number only she knew.
"Yes?" A deep voice answered.
"Code Red. Deal #2347. Cancel it. Now."
"Confirmed. Consider it done."
Call ended.
Victor's eyes sparkled. "That easy? One phone call?"
"Yes."
"Who are you, Scarlett? Really?"
"No one. Just… a girl trying to save her loved ones."
Victor laughed. "Very interesting. Maybe we'll meet again—"
Suddenly—
A loud crash.
The warehouse's back door broke open.
Shadows emerged from darkness.
Fast. Silent. Deadly.
Before Victor's men could draw their guns, they fell to the ground.
Scarlett couldn't see clearly. It was too fast.
Then she saw him.
A figure. Tall. Dark.
But different.
His eyes… golden.
His hands... claws.
Impossible.
He reached Victor, snatched the gun.
Victor screamed.
Blood everywhere.
Scarlett stood in shock.
Devil shielded her behind him.
The figure slowly turned towards them.
Golden eyes. Sharp teeth.
But the face...
Michael.
"Impossible," she whispered.
His hands were still... not normal. Claws. Bloodied.
Slowly, he approached her.
Devil held her tighter.
"Stay back!" he warned.
Michael ignored him, just staring at her.
Then slowly, his eyes returned to normal. The claws vanished.
He was Michael. Only Michael.
Bloody, but normal.
"Scarlett," his voice was tired.
She ran to him but stopped.
There was a mark on his chest.
A large, strange mark—like an animal's.
"What… what are you?" she asked.
He smiled.
"Your Michael."
"But… what just happened…"
"Shh." He placed a finger on her lips. "Some things aren't for explanation. Just acceptance."
Police sirens wailed outside.
"We have to go," Devil said.
"Yeah." Michael grabbed her hand. "Let's go."
They left, each in different cars.
Before leaving, Michael looked at her.
"Tonight… I have a lot to explain."
"Me too."
***
At home, Scarlett showered, trying to wash away the blood stains and images.
But they wouldn't leave.
Golden eyes.
Claws.
Michael... was not human.
A knock at the door.
Mia entered, tension traced on her face.
"Scarlett… I need to ask you something."
"Yeah, Didi?"
She pulled out an old torn photo.
In it… her mother, young, standing beside a tall, handsome man.
Michael.
Her heart stopped.
"This… this photo I found today. Among Mom's old stuff."
"Who is he?" Mia asked.
"I nodded slowly."
"My name is Michael," Scarlett said.
Mia's eyes widened. "Michael? But Mom never mentioned anyone named Michael."
"Because… maybe it's a secret. A big secret."
"What do you mean?"
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Mom.
"Scarlett, I'm arriving in California tomorrow. And yes… Michael is coming with me. I want you two to meet."
The phone slipped from her hands.
Mom… knows Michael.
They're coming here.
Wanting to introduce us.
Mia read the message, face pale.
"Mom… is coming with that Michael?"
"Looks like it."
"How… how is this possible? Do you know him?"
Scarlett was about to respond but stopped, looking out the window.
In the garden stood a shadow.
Golden eyes shining.
Michael.
Watching her. Only her.
With a possessive smile on his face.
Her phone buzzed again.
A message.
"Tomorrow, I'll meet your mother. And I'll tell her that… her daughter belongs to me. Only me. Forever."
Morning sunlight streamed through the window, but inside Scarlett, there was only darkness. She hadn't slept all night. Her mind raced with the same questions: Michael and her mother—how did they know each other? What did "complicated history" mean?
Her phone buzzed. A message from Mom:
"Beta, I'm at the airport. Arriving in two hours. Are you home?"
Scarlett replied, "Yes, Mom. I'm here."
Her heartbeat quickened. Today, everything would change.
She rose, looked into the mirror—dark circles under tired eyes. Took a shower, changed into a simple, elegant white dress. Paused before going downstairs, steeling herself—whatever happens, she would handle it.
Downstairs, Mia and Damien sat in the living room, tense.
"Police have started investigating Victor's murder," Damien said gravely.
"But you have no connection to him?" Mia asked.
"No direct connection. But he was my business rival. Police will question me."
Scarlett descended the stairs; both noticed her.
"Good morning," she said.
"Morning, Scarlett," Damien smiled, but worry flickered in his eyes.
"Mom's coming today," Mia said. "You know, right?"
"Yes, she messaged."
"And… Michael's coming with her," Mia gestured to an old photo on the table—Mom's old friend.
Damien raised an eyebrow. "Maybe? You're not sure?"
"No. Mom never told me."
Devil and David entered, ready. Devil's intense, possessive gaze fixed on Scarlett.
"Morning," he said.