Knife on His Lap

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apprise you, dear reader, that this book is crafted as a slow burn romance with themes

ferences to mature content, including explicit language, violence,

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demise crossed my mind, prompting a shiver down my spine. Yet, a deeper fear lingered – the prospect of surviving, but in a state of irreparable damage. The contrast between the exuberant faces passing by and the tumult within my mind was stark. I couldn't help but reflect on the limbs that currently granted me mobility and the freedom to go wherever my d

me. "Just one more year," I whispered to myself, clinging to the belief that I could escape the drudgery. In that time, I vowed to transform my life and rescue my father from the depths of despair. A vision formed in my mind-a future where we could on

y tinged with fear crept up my spine; he wasn't supposed to go out, especially not in his condition and certainly not when he was so close to liberation. The police had issued their final warning. With a heavy heart and reluctan

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have, I should have been there to support you, helping you blossom into the woman your mother envisioned. Instead, I dragged you along with me, burdening you with sufferings that had nothing to do with you. The anger I harbored

hanked you, consumed by self-loathing for allowing a young girl of just 16 to endure such hardships. I detested m

am a terrible man. I know you are a bright child who will navigate the challenges of this world. You wished for me to be there, but I understand I am a burden

r, I have entrusted your guardianship to a trusted young man. He was my assistant intern at the academy, and I have never seen a boy work so hard

he address, burn this letter somewhe

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We could have talked, found a resolution, but he chose to flee like a coward. My knees trembled, giving way beneath me as I wept throughout the night. I didn't bother reading the contact information he had left me; for the past three years, I had survived on my own without seeking his assistance. Fueled by determinat

st yesterday, the police and bank officials had come, demanding information about my missing father. Despite my assertion that I had no clue of his whereabouts, backed by the police complaint I had filed, I held a glimmer of hope that they would find him. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed, and the unforeseen blow came when the bank decided to seize our one-room apartment, forcing me to vacate our home this morning. Now, I understood why my father had entrusted my guard

, just when the life I was so determined to fight for seemed on the brink of ending for a senseless reason, just as the possibility of the last words of this man were about to come tru

lowly, my gaze traveled up his impeccable nose, meeting the piercing grey eyes that now narrowed with a slight smirk, suggesting he found my escalating attraction amusing. A red blush crept onto my face, and I coughed, gripping the railing wi

, and the sensual feeling of his muscular arms was an uncon

side and come this way," he instructed, his

t to break free from his guiding hold, rather than slowly lowering and sliding my other leg, I jumped down, surprising him. For my landing, he had to take a few steps back to give me the space I needed. What I hadn't anticipated in the heat of the moment was the

ttle composure I had left, I willed my body to move slowly towards the door. Just as my fingers touched the cold metal

. A retort poised on my tongue, I blurted out, "Well, take it as payment for your generosity," before scurrying a