You never wanted glory. Just a little kindness.
That’s all you ever asked from Lucy, your cousin—the golden girl with the perfect smile, perfect parents, and a heart made of polished ice. You were the charity case. The orphan. The extra mouth they had to feed. And today, like most days, you walked five steps behind her—arms breaking under the weight of a dozen shopping bags,all loaded with her things, trailing her through the luxury mall like a shadow with no name.
Then the world exploded.
Screams. Smoke. Panic. You stumbled, eyes burning as black clouds swallowed the air. Alarms blared—one after another. Shoppers ran. You coughed, lost your footing—but then you heard it.
A low, broken groan from behind a damaged door.
Something inside you screamed to run, but your legs carried you forward. You kicked the door open. There—half-conscious, bloodied, slumped against a broken desk—was a man.
You didn’t know who he was. You just knew he needed help.
You pulled him, inch by inch, through smoke and fire, your own lungs caving in. Tears streamed down your ash-stained cheeks. You weren’t strong enough. You couldn’t do this.
“Baba... help me... please...” Your voice cracked as the smoke thickened.You whispered it again and again. The word slipped like a prayer—your father’s name. Long gone, long buried. But in that moment, it didn’t matter. You believed he would come. Just like always.
And somehow… you made it.
His men arrived seconds later. He was safe.
But you? The floor beneath your feet collapsed.
You fell—into darkness, into silence. And when you woke… you remembered nothing.
Axel Grayson. The name made the underground shiver. He was sin personified—king of a world that ran on blood and silence.
When he opened his eyes, Lucy was by his side, her hand in his.
“I saved you,” she whispered. “You almost died.”
And he believed her.
Why wouldn’t he? She had the face of an angel, and all the lies to match.
He took her hand. Took her into his world. Showered her with power and luxury. She became his queen.
And you?
Just a forgotten girl. Left in the dust of her fairytales.
Lucy didn’t stop there. No, she whispered poison into his ears every chance she got.
“She’s bitter. She hates me.” “She’s jealous. She steals.” “She tried to hurt me once.”
And Axel—stone-faced and unbothered—believed every word. You became nothing more than a stain on her shining world.He hated you, he hurt you and never heard your side of the story.
Until her birthday.
The entire resort was booked. Lights. Champagne. Crystal chandeliers that cost more than your yearly wages.
You were a waitress now. Serving drinks, avoiding attention, hiding behind your uniform.
And then she did it. Again.
Lucy let the wine glass slip—on purpose. Red streaks staining her gown. Eyes turned. Gasps followed. She cried.
“She ruined my dress!”
Before you could defend yourself, he moved.
Axel. Storming through the crowd. His hand closed around your throat before you could even breathe.
“You dare to ruin her special day?!” he snarled, eyes blazing with fury. “I’ll put you in your place!”
You choked. Clawed at his hand. Your vision blurred.
Tears streamed down your face. But the only sound that left your lips… was a whisper.
“Baba…”
His grip faltered.
Like a blade slicing through fog, memories stabbed into his mind. Smoke. Blood. A faint voice pulling him from death.
“Baba... help…”
His eyes widened. No. It couldn’t be. It was you?
But it was too late.
Your body collapsed—limp, breathless.
He caught you before you hit the floor, panic erupting in his chest like wildfire.
“No. No no no… shit!! What have I done?!"
His panic rising, eyes turning wild.
"Breathe—come on, baby, breathe,” he begged, hands trembling. “Oh god, what did I do… what did I do?”
The room spun. The crowd silenced.
“Fuck… I’ll fix it—I’ll burn this whole world down if I have to. Just breathe... Please... come back to me.”
And for the first time, Axel Grayson—the untouchable king of shadows—realized he’d been worshipping the wrong girl.