Chapter 1 - Eve
Content Warning ⚠️
This story contains dark romance themes and may not be suitable for all readers.
Please be advised that this novel includes:
psychological trauma
past sexual abuse and harassment
coercive and controlling behavior
possessive relationships
explicit sexual content
emotional manipulation
violence and threats
pregnancy themes
morally gray characters
intense emotional and psychological situations
This story follows damaged characters and explores healing, trauma, obsession, trust, and complicated emotional dynamics within a dark romance setting.
Reader discretion is advised.
“Eve?”
I lifted my head from the glowing spreadsheet, eyes stinging from too many hours spent diving through numbers at my supervisor’s request.
“You’ve been called to the security room.”
I blinked, confused, and glanced up at my colleague. She just shook her head.
“I don’t know anything,” she added quickly.
Right. Of course not.
I sighed and rubbed at my eyes. Fine. I’d go find out for myself.
Only…
“Where is the security room?” I asked, realizing—embarrassingly—that I had no idea.
Same blank look. “Dunno. Ask at reception. Tanya knows everything.”
Of course she does.
Tanya, our resident omniscient receptionist, once saved the CIO’s job by holding off the garbage collectors for an hour after his secretary tossed a critical folder. Legend says Tanya and the chief spent that time elbow-deep in bins, digging through corporate waste like treasure hunters in suits. The stink must’ve done wonders for team bonding—they’ve been sharing more than office gossip ever since.
Everyone in accounting knew that story.
I reached up to retie my ponytail, which had loosened during my spreadsheet descent. Then I straightened my white button-down, smoothed my pristine skirt, and adjusted the oversized glasses perched on my nose.
Alright. Time to face security.
Wading through a maze of cluttered desks, I nodded at a few coworkers. Just as I reached the exit of our floor, I nearly collided with Tanya herself, stepping out of the chief’s office like fate had gift-wrapped her.
“Perfect timing,” I said. “Do you know where the security room is?”
Tanya raised an eyebrow, her makeup immaculate as always.
“Minus third floor. Why?”
“I was told to report there.”
Her expression changed ever so slightly. “I hope it’s not about you being late,” she said, lowering her voice. “Word is, the CEO’s started monitoring clock-ins.”
My heart skipped.
“What?” I breathed.
“You’ve been showing up late all month, haven’t you?”
Yes. Yes, I had. Balancing uni, hospital visits for my dad’s rehab, and this job… punctuality wasn’t exactly a luxury I could afford.
“If that were the issue, I’m sure the CIO would’ve summoned me first,” I said, forcing a weak smile as I stepped into the elevator.
Tanya followed me in—her floor was two levels down.
As the doors slid shut, she turned to me, voice low. “Listen, Eve. I know things are rough with your dad and everything. So don’t be stupid. If he tells you to cooperate… do it.”
I blinked. “Who?”
I was already spiraling through thoughts of rent and hospital bills, barely tracking her cryptic warning.
“Whoever’s down there. The man in the room. He might be willing to delete the evidence—if you give him a reason.”
Cold dread prickled across my skin. I turned, slowly, to look at her—surely she was joking. But Tanya’s face was serious. Too serious. And in her carefully made-up eyes, I saw pity.
She gave me a subtle nod—an unspoken “good luck”—and stepped off on the fifth floor without another word.
The elevator doors sealed shut behind her.
And I kept going.
Down…
Down…
To the devil’s pit.
