Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

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The sight of Magda approaching me in the underground garage of MY apartment building irked me. What is she doing here?

I hoped it's not her.

I hoped it's look-a-like.

After all, Magda always wore high heels and designer dresses while this woman was in running shoes, jeans, and a hoodie. But then she removed the hood that obstructed her face and I realized that I'm in the presence of the woman I least wanted to see.

"Shouldn't you be in Sweden?", I asked dryly.

Magda stopped three steps away from me and smiled. "I see you are keeping tabs on me. That means you are interested in me."

Duh! How stupid can she be? One keeps tabs on enemies, not on friends. But I guess Magda doesn't know the difference.

"Why are you here, Magda?"

Instead of answering me, her eyes landed on my suitcase. "Is it true? Are you really going to marry Seraphina Mezzanotte?"

Well, I didn't know that the word spreads so fast. Actually, there should be no word about marriage. It's not that I mind because I plan to marry Serina, but gossips bother me.

"It's none of your business, Magda.", I said dryly.

"But it is…", she said quickly. "She tricked you. Seraphina is a witch. She is only playing with you. She did the same to my brother who wants to make her the next Madam of the Thompson family."

I felt rage rippling through me. Madam of the Thompson family? In his dreams! What the hell is wrong with that family? First the old guy, and then John?

I forced those thoughts down. Magda is manipulative and is probably egging me to turn against John because she is angry at him for sending her to Sweden. But even if she is not lying, neither Richard nor John has a chance with Serina. She is MINE!

I didn't want to argue with Magda. I wanted her to leave.

Serina will show up any minute, and if she sees Magda, Serina will be upset. I didn't want anything to spoil what's coming. If our two weeks together start with a talk about Magda, they will be tainted.

"How can you say that she is playing with me and that she is marrying me, at the same time? Get your story straight, Magda. I suggest you leave before I call the security. Or maybe I should call the police. This is a garage for residents only and you are trespassing."

"You need to listen to me!", Magda shrieked.

"You listen to me, Magda…", I squeezed through my teeth. "What I do and with whom I'm doing it is none of your business. I rejected you more than once and I will not change my mind, not now, and not ever. Can your little brain process that? If not, maybe a restraining order will help."

Magda shook in anger. "Why are you not looking at me, Drago? What am I lacking?"

"I am looking at you, Magda, and I saw from day one how ugly you are."

Magda touched her face, and I shook my head.

"You are ugly on the inside, Magda. There is no mask or a cream that can fix an ugly soul." I snorted. "Are you really so stupid? As early as high school, I rejected you. You blackmailed me in order to stay away from Sanya and to be with you. Do you think that's the way to get what you want? Get lost before I call the police. I didn't call them already only out of courtesy to your brother because he protected Serina when your father came to woo her."

It seems that I hit a nerve because Magda's expression twisted into a grimace.

"You can't do this!"

I was flabbergasted. Why can't she take a 'no' for an answer?

"I can't do, what, Magda? I can't reject you? I can and I did. Now scram before I put all your dirty laundry online for everyone to see."

Magda frowned. "What are you talking about?"

I was frustrated. Is she really stupid and doesn't see how many bad things she did? Or does she think I'm not aware of it?

"I know that you bullied Sanya in high school. I have no problem telling everyone how you used the trust fund her grandmother left her in order to blackmail me to stay away from Sanya. I will publicly announce that I never touched you so all those rumors about you being pregnant have nothing to do with me. You even paid reporters to fake articles about how we are dating. And do you think I don't know that you are behind the incident of Sanya's roommates drugging her during their trip to Venice, three years ago? I even have a recording of your conversation with Ruby which confirms that you were in it with them."

"Sanya, Sanya, Sanya!", Magda screamed. "Why is it always her? No one saw her for three years. She eloped with a guy and is enjoying without even sparing you a thought. Why are you still talking about her?!"

"Scram, Magda, before I prove that I have evidence for your misdeeds. Even if you don't end up in jail, everyone will know how evil you are. The name of the Thompson family will be dragged through the mud. How many scandals will John tolerate before he sends you to Antarctica to live in an igloo with penguins as your neighbors?"

Magda shook her head frantically. "You wouldn't do that."

"Try me."

Magda pressed her lips into a line and her eyes flashed with madness. The next thing I know, she was holding a gun to my face.

I couldn't believe this. I have her files, and she doesn't have a permit or own a firearm. From where did she get a gun?

I sneered. "What are you going to do with that, Magda? Force me to marry you? Or make date you? Or how about a post on social media that we are dating? Let's make sure that gun is in the photo also so that people don't believe in the nonsense that I'm actually interested in you."

"Do you think I won't do it?"

I observed her shaky hand. She was only three steps away from me, and even if she has the guts to pull the trigger, the probability of hitting me was very low. "Do what? Do you want to kill me? What will that achieve?"

Magda narrowed her eyes. "You are right. I shouldn't kill you. I should kill her."

I saw red. Was she talking about Serina?

"Try doing anything to Serina and I will make sure you die a slow and painful death, Magda."

Magda flinched and then she smiled smugly. "Oh, it seems that other than protecting Sanya, you are set on protecting Seraphina also? Why is that, Drago? Is it because they look alike? I thought that your love for Sanya was undying, yet it didn't take you long to replace her."

I wondered how Magda would react if she found out that Sanya and Serina are the same person. But I knew that I shouldn't disclose that.

Magda snorted. "What's to say that you won't replace Seraphina one day? Maybe you replace her with me?"

"In your dreams, Magda.", I spat the words at her. "I will never love you. I will never be yours."

She looked at me smugly. "We will see. Once Seraphina is gone, you will find another woman, and I will be right there."

"Even if you are the last woman on Earth, I wouldn't touch you."

Magda bobbed her head. "After I eliminate Seraphina…" Her voice trailed and her eyes darted to the gun she was holding.

I wouldn't care much about Magda's empty threats, other than telling John that she escaped from wherever he kept her, but Serina was about to make an appearance any moment and I felt the urgency to disarm Magda.

In a flash, I closed the distance between us and grabbed the gun.

'BANG!'

A loud noise shook the underground garage and Magda's eyes widened in panic.

It took me a moment to realize that there is a scorching sensation in my chest as I fell on my knees.

I heard rushed footsteps of Magda running away and then darkness consumed me.

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