Achilles Heel

Chapter 3: Danger and Betrayal

Faith’s POV

Edward's mansion was a difficult place to live. Being surrounded by individuals I couldn't trust made every day feel like I was treading carefully. Marcus had also been acting even more strangely lately. His smile never seemed real, and his eyes were on me for too long. I sensed something wasn't right.

Marcus and one of Edward's men were whispering to each other as I passed through the grand hall one day. They both halted as soon as they saw me, looking at each other. It didn't appeal to me. With a strained smile, Marcus left a trail of discomfort in my chest and turned to leave.

I needed to discuss this with Edward. He had to be the one who would listen.

I found Edward in his office later that day, absorbed in papers. Unsure of how to approach him, I stood at the door for a while. He always came off as very aloof and unapproachable. But I was no longer able to remain silent.

"Edward?" I remarked quietly as I entered the room.

He didn't raise his head. Faith, what is it?

I inhaled deeply as I gathered my strength. "There's a problem with Marcus. He chats to people behind your back, and I've noticed how he stares at me. I believe he is concealing something.

Edward's eyes finally lifted, but there was no response, no worry. "You're thinking too much about it," he stated calmly. "My most trusted man is Marcus." He has supported me for many years. There is no need for concern.

Edward, I....

"Faith, enough." I was interrupted by the sharpness of his voice. "You have no idea how my world functions. Don't get involved.

I took a deep breath and suppressed my annoyance. He didn't think I was real. I was still viewed by him as an outsider who didn't belong. But I had a gut feeling that something was seriously wrong.

My uneasiness only increased over the next few days. I had a persistent suspicion that Marcus was planning something. And I was correct.

I heard Marcus talking on the phone one evening while Edward was out of town taking care of some business. Even though his voice was low, I could tell that he was no longer faithful to Edward.

Marcus paced back and forth in one of the smaller rooms and stated, "Victor, I've done everything you asked me." However, I have doubts about this idea. Making Use of Faith? It's dangerous.

I went cold. I listened from behind the door, my heart thumping in my chest.

Through the speaker came the icy, calculating voice of Victor Moretti. Marcus, she's the ideal leverage. Edward won't anticipate it. He will be forced to bow to us once we have faith. Do you not want power?

"Yes, but"

"No more questions," Victor cut in. "This is too profound for us. You will lose everything if you retreat now. You will have more power than you can ever fathom if you stick with me.

A long pause ensued. Marcus hesitated a little, but then he spoke again, a little more quietly. "All right. I will.

My blood froze. They intended to take advantage of me. I was their goal, and Marcus had betrayed Edward. Edward wouldn't even listen to me, so how could I have warned him?

Edward and I were the only two of us in the spacious living room that evening. As usual, his face was a mask of concentration as he perused a file. I kept thinking about how much danger I was in and how Marcus had betrayed me. However, Edward continued to treat me like a stranger and kept me at a distance.

I broke the hush by whispering, "Edward." He raised an eyebrow as he looked up.

He inquired, obviously anticipating another warning concerning Marcus, "What is it now, Faith?"

However, I didn't mention it this time. I asked a different question instead. "What makes you live this way? Why do you spend so much time in such a dark environment?

Edward closed the file and scowled. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, this is a violent, powerful environment in which you live. Are you even trustworthy? Is this even how you want to live?

He seemed to be considering how much to tell me as he looked at me for a long time. At last, his frown softened slightly as he sat back in his chair. "Faith, do you think I choose this life? Do you believe I aspired to become a fear-based manipulator?

I was unsure of how to react. Edward had always come out as aloof, uncaring, and uninterested in anything or anyone. I could see something else now, though—pain, perhaps remorse. After all, he was a human.

Silently, he murmured, "I created this world to defend myself." "If you allow others to pull you apart, they will. I had to learn the lesson the hard way. I do, therefore, maintain my barriers. I don't let people in and I don't trust people readily. It is the sole means of surviving.

I saw a glimpse of the man behind the tough façade for the first time. He was more than just a vicious criminal. He was a person who had experienced hurt and had erected barriers to protect himself from future hurt.

I muttered, "I see," experiencing an odd bond with him. I didn't view him as my kidnapper for the first time. I perceived him as a man whose past had broken him.

As our encounter grew more intense, the tension was broken when Edward's phone rang. When he responded, his tone immediately returned to business.

I kept thinking about what may have happened if we hadn't been interrupted by that call.

The home was silent, and it was late. My head was spinning from everything I had discovered as I lay in bed. I was at the heart of Marcus's scheme to betray Edward. I was at a loss for what to do. Edward still didn't trust me, and he would dismiss me if I tried to warn him once again.

My room's door suddenly sprang open. As I watched three masked men dash in, their moves precise and swift, my heart jumped into my throat. Before I could respond, they were on me, even though I had screamed.

I yelled as I fought against their hold, but they were too powerful. My arms were locked behind my back as I was pulled from the bed.

I saw a glimpse of Marcus in the corridor. His eyes briefly met mine, and he did not attempt to hide his identity. They lacked any hesitation or kindness. He was complicit in this; after deceiving Edward, he was now deceiving me as well.

"Marcus!" He turned away when I yelled, vanishing into the darkness.

I was pulled through the mansion and into the chilly night by the men. I struggled against them but to no avail. I was filled with panic. They were kidnapping me.

Suddenly, from behind us, I heard a shout. "Stop!"

I couldn't mistake that voice. It was Edward's.

He was standing in the doorway, his face white with shock, when I turned my head. For the first time, I noticed genuine terror on his face as his gaze shifted between me and the men who were holding me.

He ran toward us and said, "Faith!" but it was too late.

They pushed me into a van and slammed the door. Edward's hands pounded furiously against the metal as he arrived at the van as it was speeding away.

As we drove away, I saw his face contorted with dread and rage through the rear window. And I heard his voice, full of pain and rage, right before I lost sight of him.

"Marcus, I'll kill you for this!" Edward's voice reverberated in the darkness as he yelled into the night.

Faith is being taken away, her heart pounding in fear, while Edward swears revenge on Marcus. Faith is now in the hands of her enemies, and Edward’s cold exterior has finally cracked.